§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for ex gratia compensation to be made to Mr. Donald Sylvester Benjamin 14W in respect of the time he has spent in prison after a conviction for rape which has been quashed and in respect of which he has now been acquitted; if proceedings for perjury are to be instituted against the witness who has now admitted she lied at Mr. Benjamin's first trial; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMr. Benjamin was acquitted following a retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal, to whom my predecessor had referred the case under Section 17(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968. An application for anex gratia payment was received on 3rd November and is being considered. It is for the chief officer of police concerned to decide whether or not to institute proceedings against any person who may have committed a criminal offence.