§ 12. Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the latest developments in the investigation into the bombing of the London office of the African National Congress in March 1982. [28408]
§ Mr. HowardThe Metropolitan Police have reviewed the evidence relating to this bombing in the light of statements by Mr. Craig Williamson and have submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service. The more recent comments reportedly made in South Africa by Mr. Mike Leach are also being studied by the police.
§ Mr. HainI am grateful to the Home Secretary. May I ask through him that the police interview Mr. Craig Williamson and that extradition proceedings be considered? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that Mr. Mike Leach, to whom he referred, has alleged that British intelligence had prior notice of this terrorist outrage through the involvement of extreme Ulster loyalist elements? I believe that the inquiry for which I have asked the Prime Minister into the atrocity is essential. Will the Home Secretary further assure me that the Government will treat a terrorist outrage by the South Africans no less fiercely than terrorist outrages and bombings carried out by the IRA?
§ Mr. HowardThe hon. Gentleman should know perfectly well that these are matters for the police, and they are being investigated by the police. It might perhaps help if he had a little more confidence in the impartiality and effectiveness of our police.
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. Questions and answers have been inordinately long today and we have made little progress with Home Office questions. I am extremely disappointed that Members who have questions on the Order Paper have not been called because of long questions and very, very long answers.