HL Deb 01 July 1982 vol 432 c326

3.11 p.m.

The Marquess of Tweeddale

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request the Attorney-General to reconsider his decision not to hold an inquiry into the death of Helen Smith in Jeddah in 1979.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)

My Lords, I understand that my right honourable and learned friend has no power to direct that any such inquiry should be held.

The Marquess of Tweeddale

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for his Answer, but I must confess that I did not hear it.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, the noble Marquess should come closer. I understand that my right honourable and learned friend has no power to direct that any such inquiry should be held.

The Marquess of Tweeddale

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord once again for his Answer, which came through loud and clear. May I ask whether I am right in thinking that the Government, if not the Attorney-General himself, have the power to institute any inquiry that they wish, if the will is there? Further, may I ask whether the Government would agree that there is ample evidence that Miss Smith met a death which amounts to homicide? Further, may I ask whether the Government would agree that the results of the Foreign Office inquiries and those of the West Yorkshire police should be forthcoming?

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I think that the answer to all three supplementaries is in the negative.