§ 11.5 a.m.
§ LORD RUSSELL OF LIVERPOOLMy Lords I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the report of the police investigation ordered by the Home Secretary into the claim by James Hanratty that he was in Rhyl when the A6 murder took place will be laid before Parliament prior to any final decision being made as to whether or not an independent inquiry should be set up to consider the case.]
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF LONGFORD)My Lords, I will answer this Question, if I may, in the absence of Lord Stonham, who I know everyone will be glad to hear is making excellent progress, and who has been much encouraged by the many messages received from your Lordships in all parts of the House.
The Answer is that, when the investigation has been completed, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary will consider in what form its outcome could appropriately be made public. The report itself will be confidential, as are all police reports.
§ LORD RUSSELL OF LIVERPOOLMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply. May I ask whether he does not think it is most important that the public should have an opportunity to learn the full facts upon which the Home Secretary may make his final decision?
§ THE EARL or LONGFORDMy Lords, the noble Lord is very much more skilled in the law than I am, but I think 1090 he will agree with me that the Answer I have given is the correct one, and one that would be given by any Home Secretary in the circumstances.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, would the noble Earl consider this: that those who put forward the case for some inquiry do not rely only on this one matter of a possible alibi? While we appreciate the concession which the Home Secretary has made, is the noble Earl aware that there is a great deal of evidence now which calls for an inquiry into many other matters?
§ THE EARL OF LONGFORDMy Lords, certainly there is a great deal of material bearing on this case; but whether it can be called evidence is something that I must leave to the Home Secretary and his advisers.
VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDSMy Lords, would my noble friend not agree that it is the most satisfactory state of affairs that we no longer have to hang people before making inquiries into their guilt?
§ THE EARL OF LONGFORDCertainly, my Lords. A great majority of this House, as the noble Viscount knows, are very well content that after so many years capital punishment has been abolished.