§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 1016, on the case of WPC Fletcher, for what reasons the inquiries by the Metropolitan Police have taken longer than anticipated. [78242]
§ Mr. StrawThe Metropolitan Police review of the evidence surrounding the murder of WPC Fletcher has involved a number of complex international lines of inquiry which have taken longer to resolve than was originally anticipated. The timetable has often been dependent on the contribution of overseas authorities. I am assured that the police have pursued their inquiries as quickly as is possible and that the final report on their review of the case will be ready in the near future.