§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the police took either before, at, or after the trial of T. Brett, to check the claims and statements of the chief prosecution witness of his skill, knowledge and public position, which had a bearing on the conviction and sentence of Brett; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Miss BaconI understand that the police force concerned has made no special inquiries about these matters. At the trial this witness was put forward by the prosecution to give evidence of facts and not as an expert witness. It was therefore unnecessary to make any inquiries about any expert skills or knowledge which the witness might have.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make available to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, the information requested by Prisoner T. Brett on the legal name, official standing, and skilled knowledge of the chief prosecution witness at Brett's trial and all other such information as requested by this prisoner.
§ Miss BaconMy right hon. and learned Friend has no official information on these matters.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has requested Prisoner T. Brett to give him information as to why he desires the Public Records Office to supply details concerning the bona fides of the main witness at his trial.
§ Miss BaconBrett wanted to seek these details in a letter additional to his ordinary entitlement and without further information there did not appear to be sufficient grounds for allowing him an extra letter for this purpose. He has been allowed a very considerable number of extra letters in recent months.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he 301W is aware that fresh evidence has been disclosed subsequent to the trial of Prisoner T. Brett and subsequent to his decision not to re-open the case, namely, the fact that the chief prosecution witness who claimed to be an Army captain is now proved to be an aircraftman with no knowledge of armoury in the Army, and the fact that it has now been proved that Bett has perforated ear-drums and was too deaf to have heard the shot which he was alleged at the trial to have heard; and if he will therefore now re-open the case.
§ Miss BaconThe witness did not claim at the trial to be an Army captain. My right hon. and learned Friend has considered the material submitted to him about Brett's hearing, but in his view it does not justify any action on his part in relation to Brett's conviction for shooting.