HC Deb 06 December 1989 vol 163 c263W
Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his reasons for advising against the decision of the European Parliament to launch an investigation into circumstances surrounding the conviction of the Birmingham Six.

Mr. John Patten

As my right hon. and learned Friend said in reply to another question from my hon. Friend on 29 November, we believe that it would be wholly inappropriate for the European Parliament to inquire into the convictions of the Birmingham Six, which are within national competence.