§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester on the circumstances surrounding the escape in 1990 from Astley Bridge police station of Alan Lord; if he will ensure that a public statement is issued concerning the results of an internal police inquiry; and if he will make a statement concerning the wider implications of security for dangerous prisoners in remand cells.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand from the chief constable that the prisoner escaped after a set of keys went missing at the police station. The incident has been the subject of an internal inquiry by Greater Manchester police and appropriate action has been taken in the light of its findings. Such an inquiry is entirely a matter for the chief constable.