§ Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will call for a report from the chief constable regarding the establishment of a link between the deaths of the two children whose bodies have been found near Beenham in Berkshire, and the death of Yolande Waddington last October; whether he will obtain a further report on the extent to which protection is being given to the residents of the area to safeguard against another such tragedy; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable on the investigations now being carried out into the circumstances of the deaths of the two children whose bodies have been found at Beenham in Berkshire; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have received a report from the chief constable of Berkshire on the case of Yolande Waddington and full particulars of the extensive investigations into the deaths of two children near Beenham which are at present being carried out with the assistance of the Metropolitan police, neighbouring forces, and the regional crime squad. The chief constable tells me that it would be premature to conclude that there is a link between the events of last October and this month. The police are fully alive to the importance of doing all they can to prevent any further tragedy, and police manpower and equipment are being made available on a large scale. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing sympathy with the families and with the anxieties of parents and others living in the neighbourhood.