§ Lord RUSSELL of LIVERPOOLasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will examine in detail the report of Mr. Hawser into the case of James Hanratty (Cmnd. 6021) and, despite the Home Secretary's statement in the House of Commons that 188WA he hoped they would accept the report's verdict, they will consider very carefully whether the only way in which justice in his case can be done and seen to be done is by setting up an independent public inquiry.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHAn inquiry would only be justified if there was an independent indication that the verdict in this case was ill-founded. All the available material was referred to Mr. Hawser. His conclusions, after a thorough study of the evidence, are unequivocal, and his report provides no grounds for a public inquiry. My right honourable friend accepts that assessment.