Moors Murders (Hansard, 20 November 1986)

§ Mr. Geoffrey Dickens (Littleborough and Saddleworth)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the moors murders investigation and the implications for prosecution and parole". This will be a three-minute application, Mr. Speaker. As you will know, the Saddleworth moors are in my constituency. The bodies of Lesley Anne Downey, aged 10 years at the time of her death, and of John Kilbride, aged 12 at the time of his, were found buried in those moors, which are one mile from my home. Today, the Manchester police have started a massive dig-and-search operation on the moors, acting on information received from child murderess Myra Hindley. If other remains are discovered, two important issues will be brought into question. Should any deal be upheld with a child murderess for parole consideration in return for information on other murders? Should prosecutions follow for these other crimes committed 21 years ago?

A debate would provide Members of this honourable House with the opportunity to express public opinion so that our principal Law Officers—my right hon. And learned Friend the Attorney-General, my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions—are in no doubt about their duties. If the DPP, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, were ever to be hoodwinked by Myra Hindley and her eccentric friend in another place, they would never rest in their beds. They would be haunted by the spectre of anguished parents and relations who are sadly having to serve their own life sentence. I am convinced that public opinion demands no deal with child murderers and that those who sexually abuse and murder children should stand trial even 21 years later.

If you felt able to grant my request for a debate, Mr. Speaker, you would discover that hon. Members are more likely now to support my call to fight fire with fire. I believe that you would be amazed, Mr. Speaker, how strongly has grown the number of those who would wish to see capital punishment restored for child murderers.