HC Deb 24 June 1971 vol 819 cc315-6W
31. Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in the past 50 years his Department has ordered an inquiry into a criminal case because it appeared that there might have been a miscarriage of justice; and what the comparative figures are for each decade.

Mr. Maudling

If I am right in thinking that the hon. Member has in mind cases in which a judge or barrister has been appointed to hold an inquiry, the answer is that I have identified in the period mentioned five such inquiries which are broadly covered by the formula used in the Question. The dates of appointment were 1947, 1952, 1953, 1964 and 1965.