§ Mr. Arthur Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement regarding Mr. George Ince, serving sentence in HM prison.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have carefully considered all the representations made by and on behalf of Mr. Ince, in the light of the reports of the police officers appointed to investigate his complaints and of other relevant documents. The Home Secretary can take action with regard to a conviction or sentence only if new considerations of substance arise which have not previously been before a court. He cannot reassess cases on the basis of the same evidence, nor can he substitute his own judgment for that of the courts. The very thorough inquiries which have been made have not brought to light any new information to alter the balance of the evidence which was carefully considered by the court of trial and the Court of Appeal. In particular, the whole question of the identification evidence was rigorously examined by the courts. I have therefore, reached the conclusion that, on present information, there are no grounds on which I would be justified in taking any action with regard to Mr. Ince's conviction or sentence.