HC Deb 12 February 2002 vol 380 c305W
Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of applicants to the Criminal Cases Review Commission have the assistance of a solicitor. [32480]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The results of the Commission's latest six-monthly survey to 30 September 2001, showed that 51 per cent. of applicants, whose cases were under review, had some form of legal representation.

Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will advise the Criminal Cases Review Commission to give priority to cases of women crown court conviction applicants who are in custody and have young children. [32497]

Beverley Hughes

The Commission's priority-ranking group already receives and considers requests from such applicants.

Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women convicted of murder are the subject of applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [32501]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The Criminal Cases Review Commission does not collect routinely the statistics requested, and they could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However following the introduction of an electronic case database from 1 April 2001 recent data is available. During 1 April 2001 to 31 December 2001, the Criminal Cases Review Commission received five applications concerned with women convicted of murder.