HC Deb 02 March 1961 vol 635 cc1745-6
39. Mr. V. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has given further consideration to the additional information about the case of George Riley given to him by the hon. Member for Ladywood; and whether he will arrange for an inquiry to be held, in order to ascertain whether there has been a miscarriage of justice.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)

Before reaching my decision, I gave the fullest consideration to the representations made to me by the hon. Member and others, as well as to all the information available to me from many sources. I am satisfied that there has been no miscarriage of justice, and that there is no ground for an inquiry.

Mr. Yates

As the chief prosecution witness at the Riley trial, the police officer, was subjected to a disciplinary investigation by the Chief Constable of Shropshire and a complaint about the manner of the proceedings and the way they were carried out was made to the Law Society, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there should be an inquiry in the interests of justice? Would he be willing to place a transcript of the trial in the Library?

Mr. Butler

In view of the precedents, I would like to have notice of that last question, which I will consider. answered the earlier part of the question in the debate initiated by the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman), and it was also answered by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General. I pointed out then that the police officer had been cleared of the charges which were laid at his door, and I have nothing to add to what I said on that occasion.

Mr. Longden

Will my right hon. Friend agree that in the meantime it would be a good thing to make it an invariable rule that confessions obtained in a police station should be repeated under oath in open court?

Mr. Butler

I should like to say in relation to that general question that in answering questions from the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr. Fletcher) and others I said that I would look into these matters. I have been looking into them and when I am ready I will, if I may, make a statement, because it is quite reasonable that there should be an investigation.

Mr. Gordon Walker

While the last answer of the right hon. Gentleman will be welcome, because very important questions are raised here which go beyond the particular case, referring to the point raised by my hon. Friend, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in this case it would be of great use to have a transcript available? If we put down a Question next week, could the right hon. Gentleman give us an answer?

Mr. Butler

I should like to look with impartiality in relation to what I described as the precedents. We must be sure we are following what is normal in this case, and, within reason, I should like to consider what has been put to me.