HC Deb 24 June 1971 vol 819 cc1578-80
21. Miss Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has now reached regarding an inquiry into the A6 murder.

39. Mr. Loughlin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the case of the late James Hanratty.

19. Mr. Willey

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now make a further statement on the holding of a judicial inquiry into the conviction of James Hanratty.

Mr. Maudling

I have read the recently published book by Mr. Paul Foot and I have studied a full and detailed analysis of all the information now available in my Department about this case. It is not my function to retry a case on the basis of evidence and arguments previously considered by the courts, but only to consider whether there is any information that was not before the courts which might justify me in recommending the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy. Before coming to a decision on whether any further action is required on my part I have thought it right to ask Mr. Foot whether there are any significant new factors to which he would especially wish to call my attention. I shall make a further statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Miss Lestor

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. I think I speak for all in the House who have shown a keen interest in the case when I say that I welcome the close attention which the right hon. Gentleman is giving to what many people consider to be new evidence. Without suggesting that the right hon. Gentleman should in any way skip over any vital matters, may I ask him to bear in mind the great interest and concern, particularly to the Hanratty family, in his making his announcement as soon as possible?

Mr. Maudling

This is an immensely complicated matter. The volume of documentation is tremendous, and I am determined to carry out my responsibility of making up my mind on whether there are new factors which should be taken into account.

Mr. Loughlin

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's concern, but may I ask whether he will arrange to meet Mr. Foot very soon? There has been considerable delay since this matter was first raised in the House. In the light of Mr. Foot's book, and in the event of the right hon. Gentlemen having a discussion with him, will he be prepared to discuss the matter with hon. Members who have shown a special interest in the case?

Mr. Maudling

I shall be glad to discuss the matter with hon. Members who have shown an interest in the case, and I am looking forward to hearing from Mr. Foot on this matter, but in defence of the Home Office and of myself I must tell the House that the documents run into millions of words, and one cannot sort this thing out in a short time.

Mr. Whitehead

I welcome the close attention which the right hon. Gentleman has given to this matter throughout. Would he accept that an inquiry into whether there should be an inquiry cannot equal in length or depth, and certainly not in fairness, the public inquiry itself into the guilt or innocence of James Hanratty? May we expect the announcement of the right hon. Gentleman's decision before the Summer Recess?

Mr. Maudling

I shall not make an announcement until I have satisfied myself that I have been into every particular. I shall make the announcement as soon as possible, but I cannot say when that will be.

Sir E. Bullus

I thank my hon. Friend for his decision. May I ask him to confirm that his decision is no reflection on the concern and anguish experienced by previous Home Secretaries when asked to review this case?

Mr. Maudling

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I think I am following the precedent of my predecessors, who were always willing at any time to consider anything new that might bring new factors into the situation.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Will the Minister confirm that the study will not be confined to what appears in or is referred to in the book itself? In particular, will he check up on a document—namely, the first statement by Miss Valerie Storey—which was not available to Mr. Paul Foot, and, as I understand it, was not produced either at the committal proceedings or at the hearing itself?

Mr. Maudling

That is one of the features of the case, certainly.

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