§ Mr. Arthur Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Essex as to why Mr. Charles Lowe was allowed to send a note, while in police custody, to the friend of a man who was later charged with, and convicted of, robbery on the evidence of Mr. Charles Lowe;
(2) if he will institute an inquiry into allegations of irregularities regarding Mr. Charles Lowe during his time in custody;
(3) if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Essex about the conditions under which Mr. Charles Lowe was held at Chelmsford Police Station, in the light of statements to defence solicitors, and his own admissions in Chelmsford Crown Court that he had made telephone calls while in custody;
(4) how many people have been charged with offences arising from allegations by Mr. Charles Lowe that they were criminal associates;
(5) if he will institute an inquiry into the use by police of informers in criminal prosecutions, in view of the circumstances surrounding the trial and subsequent treatment of Mr. Charles Lowe.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have called for a report from the Chief Constable of Essex, and will write to my hon. Friend when I have received and studied it.
§ Mr. Arthur Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 696W what special privileges Mr. Charles Lowe now enjoys in prison.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNone.
§ Mr. Arthur Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Parole Board has considered the case of Mr. Charles Lowe; and whether the Metropolitan Police have made a report to the prison authorities on the case of Mr. Charles Lowe; and, if so, what it contained.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Parole Board has not yet considered this case. I have received a police report on Mr. Lowe's activities.