HC Deb 22 June 1961 vol 642 cc1673-4
35. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take in respect of the sworn declaration by William Frederick Nicholls that, in the robbery for which he was convicted, Alfred George Hinds was not in any way connected and is innocent, in view of the fact that Hinds is serving a sentence of twelve years detention on being convicted of being implicated in the crime.

Mr. R. A. Butler

None, Sir. The declaration that Hinds is innocent does not accord with the statement made by Mr. Nicholls earlier this year to two senior police officers.

Mr. Sorensen

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this statement, made on oath by the man Nicholls, deserves examination, and that if it is perjury, surely some action should be taken against him? If, on the other hand, he made the statement, apparently without any hope of material gain, it deserves much more serious attention than is being given to it at the present time.

Mr. Butler

The question of perjury or anything of that sort is a matter for the police and the prosecuting authority, and one on which I cannot comment. I have given the hon. Gentleman the only answer I can give.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that at Hinds' original trial, the Lord Chief Justice, who presided over the trial, described this man Nicholls as the principal offender in this case, and, therefore, he knows better than anyone who his accomplices were? is he further aware that Hinds has protested his innocence at the time and ever since, that he has escaped from prison several times in order to assert it, and that the principal police officer who was concerned in his prosecution has now retired from the police force and is getting richer emoluments elsewhere? Does he not think that all this amounts to a case for a new inquiry in case a miscarriage of justice has occurred?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. I will consider anything that the hon. Gentleman gives me to consider, and we had better leave it there. On the present evidence I have, I think I cannot carry it any further.

Mr. Sorensen

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends to give me a fuller reply by correspondence, in addition to what he has said today?

Mr. Butler

If it would help the hon. Gentleman, I will certainly do so, or I will see him if he so desires.