§ 27. Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to move the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings to one prison to enable them to prepare their case in the Court of Appeal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorIf their legal representatives believe that a meeting between the men would be beneficial then consideration would be given to such a request.
§ 31. Mr. Bennasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the persons interviewed during his inquiries in the 15 months that elapsed between the submission by the hon. Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr) in October 1985 and his statement on 20 January to the House, in relation to the Birmingham pub bombings case.
§ Mr. MellorOfficials had meetings with Mr. Christopher Mullin; Dr. Frank Skuse and his solicitor; and Mr. George Walker, formerly Director of the forensic science service laboratory at Chorley. Senior officers of the West Midlands police had a meeting with Mr. Mullin and interviewed Mr. Thomas Clarke, formerly a police constable in that force.
§ 39. Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding his decision to refer the convictions of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings to the Court of Appeal.
§ Mr. MellorWe have received 10 letters, five welcoming my right hon. Friend's decision, four expressing regret and one commenting on one aspect of the case.