§ LORD GARDINERasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to receive the report of the Chief Constable of Northumberland on the case of L. Dougherty; and whether it will be published.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHI understand that the investigating officer from the Northumbria police expects to report to the Chief Constable of Durham, at whose request this investigation is being conducted, shortly after Easter. A copy of the report will then be sent to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary. It is a principle of long standing that reports of police investigations are not published.
My right honourable friend announced in another place on April 8 his decision to appoint a Committee of Inquiry into the law and procedure relating to identification evidence, having regard to the wrongful conviction of Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Virag and any other relevant cases.