§ 24 and 25. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the cause of the delay in reaching a decision on his investigations into a possible miscarriage of justice in the case of Prisoner T. Brett; when he expects to make an announcement of his investigations into matters pertaining to this case; and whether he will now make a statement;
(2) why he continues to refuse permission to Prisoner T. Brett, his solicitor, and the hon. Member for West Ham, North, to obtain information from the police and others, which is likely to prove this prisoner's innocence of a charge of shooting; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Miss BaconAfter most careful inquiry my right hon. Friend can find no ground for recommending interference with the conviction in this case or for referring it to the Court of Criminal Appeal. He has not refused the prisoner permission to obtain information from the police; but he has found no reason for116W asking the police to supplement the information they have already given him.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will enable the hon. Member for West Ham, North, to have permission and facilities to interview the police and those connected with the Prisoner T. Brett shooting case, so as to obtain the necessary evidence which is available to prove the innocence of this man on the charge of shooting.
§ Miss BaconI understand that the Chief Constable, who has already supplied the prisoner with a good deal of information, has decided not to comply with further requests unless my right hon. Friend asks him to do so. My hon. Friend does not of course need my right hon. Friend's permission to seek information from the police, but after careful investigation he can find no ground for asking the Chief Constable to provide information or facilities beyond those already afforded.