HC Deb 18 December 1986 vol 107 cc639-40W
18. Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to state the result of his consideration of representations concerning the conviction of the Maguires for explosives offences.

Mr. Mellor

We are examining the points raised by Mr. Kee, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to reach a decision before long.

23. Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in his review of the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

26. Mr. Mallon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be in a position to make a decision about the case of those imprisoned for the Birmingham pub bombings.

Mr. Mellor

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave today to a question from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Miss Maynard).

25. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any further representations regarding the six men imprisoned for the Birmingham pub bombings of 1974.

Mr. Mellor

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 20 November at column288. Since then we have received about 50 letters from members of the public, 20 of which have been forwarded by right hon. and hon. Members. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs has written to my right hon. Friend about the case, and officials of the Irish embassy have also raised the matter. We have received petitions bearing a total of 280 signature. In addition, my right hon. Friend and I recently met representatives of the parliamentary Labour party.

47. Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Justice Minister of the Government of the Irish Republic concerning the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

Mr. Mellor

We have received representations from the Government of the Republic on several occasions urging us to review these convictions.