HC Deb 24 February 1982 vol 18 cc856-8
28. Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he has studied the report by Lord Hunter on the Meehan case in so far as it affects the Crown Office.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland (Mr. Peter Fraser)

I am presently considering these aspects of the report along with my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate.

Mr. Wilson

As I am the first to address a question to the Solicitor-General since his appointment, may I congratulate him on his elevation to the Front Bench, even if it may be a step towards a judicial bench after the next election? How long do he and his noble and learned Friend intend to take to consider the Meehan report, which has now been under wraps for several years? What were the shortcomings of the Crown Office, which have been reported in the press, and what steps have been take to improve the position in the Crown Office in view of the recent Glasgow rape case, which has also undermined confidence in that office?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what I take to be a back-handed compliment. The report by Lord Hunter has been before the Secretary of State only since August last year. A number of legal matters have been referred to my noble and learned Friend by the Secretary of State. Those are presently being considered. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has repeated the statement that was made by the previous Secretary of State for Scotland, that it is his intention to publish the report in due course.

Mr. Fairbairn

May I add my congratulations to those made to my hon. Friend on his elevation and give him my good wishes? I wish to ask him about the Meehan report by Lord Hunter, with is complications. In view of the award of £77,000 to Mr. John Preece, who was released from prison after some eight years imprisonment, and regardless of when the Hunter report may be published, will my hon. Friend use his influence to ask the Secretary of State to review the award of a mere £7,500 which was rejected by Mr. Meehan for serving an equivalent term and when, after all, he was pardoned?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am grateful to my hon. and learned Friend for his gracious remarks on my taking on this office in his steps. The question of compensation awards following on the release of Patrick Meehan from prison is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I am sure that he is aware that the specific terms of reference to Lord Hunter to examine the matters arising out of the Meehan affair and his conviction specifically exclude any consideration of compensation.

Mr. Milan

I also welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Front Bench.

Although the inquiry was carried out in private, I think that the hon. Gentleman is aware that a pledge was given by me that the report would be published. Therefore, there would be widespread indignation in Scotland if the report were censored in any way. Will he therefore repeat the assurance given by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland on television the other day that the report would be published in full?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his remarks. I appreciate that when he first announced the reference to Lord Hunter he said specifically that the report of the inquiry would be published in due course. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has repeated that assurance. However, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, a number of legal matters must be considered carefully with regard to publication. Accordingly, it would be premature for me at this time to give any indication of whether the report will be published in its entirety.

Mr. Millan

Is not the implication of what the hon. Gentleman is now saying that the report may not be published in full? However, the Under-Secretary gave us an assurance on television just a fortnight ago that the report would be published in full. What is the answer?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

The implication of what I am saying to the right hon. Gentleman is not connected with whether the report will be published in its entirety. At this stage it would be premature for me to give any indication. In any event, the matter of publication is for the Secretary of State for Scotland. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, that report was ordered by the then Secretary of State. It was delivered by Lord Hunter to the present Secretary of State.