§ 79. Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons who in the last 10 years were found guilty of offences but whose convictions were quashed on appeal, had already served their prison sentences at the date of the hearing of their appeals; how many of them were paid compensation; how much they were paid; how long they had been in prison; how many were refused compensation; and what independent advice he sought as to the amount of compensation to be awarded in these cases.
§ Miss PikeThe information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. There have been no cases in the last ten years in which the Home Secretary has approved the grant ofex gratia payments from public funds to persons who had completed prison sentences when their convictions were quashed. In one case, where the conviction was quashed after the appellant had served the normal two-thirds of a sentence of six months' imprisonment, payment was refused.