HC Deb 25 March 1994 vol 240 cc444-5W
Ms Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of alleged miscarriages of justice cases which were held by C3 division at his Department in 1993 or for the latest date available.

Mr. Maclean

At the beginning of 1993, 207 representations were under consideration; 663 new representations were received during the year, and 650 representations were concluded; 173 representations were under consideration at the end of the year.

Ms Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time taken to investigate an alleged miscarriage of justice by his Department during 1993 or for the latest year available; and how many cases which are currently being examined by the C3 division of his Department, at the latest date available, have been outstanding for more than 12 months.

Mr. Maclean

Excluding cases over 12 months old, the average time taken in 1993 to complete consideration of an allegation of wrongful conviction was 43 days. On 1 January 1994, there were 23 cases which had been under consideration for more than 12 months.