§ 2.39 p.m.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any of the matters of a criminal nature referred to in the book Babies for Burning have been resolved, and, if so, whether charges against persons alleged to have been involved have yet been made.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, the position remains as stated in the Answer I gave to my noble friend's Question on 16th April. The police are continuing their inquiries; when they are completed a report will be made to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will consider whether any charges should be preferred.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether, in giving that Answer, he has taken account of the fact that on 6th March in this House the noble Lord, Lord Wells-Pestell, described as "murder" one of the allegations contained in this book? Is it not an urgent matter to resolve allegations which involve, if proved, a charge of murder? May I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that one of the co-authors of this book has expressed willingness to place tapes at the disposal of the Select Committee? May I further ask whether those tapes have been placed at the disposal of the police?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I think no one would deny that the allegations made in this book, and all the circumstances surrounding it, are very serious matters, and certainly the police are pursuing their inquiries with some vigour. As I indicated to the House last week, there was some problem about interviewing one of the authors of the book, but I am glad to say that this author has now been interviewed by the 1151 police. Certainly there is keen realisation by the Commissioner of the importance of this matter.