§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now set up a public inquiry, not undertaken by the police, into the death of Blair Peach.
§ Mr. WhitelawIn my statement of 27 June on the events which occurred in Southall on 22–23 April I said that the proper way to proceed was for the police report into the circumstances of Mr. Peach's death to be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the coroner. Commander Cass has completed his report after what the Director has himself described as "very thorough inquiries". The coroner's inquest, now temporarily adjourned, is not yet complete. Although the Director has now decided that the available evidence is insufficient to justify any criminal proceedings, he has said that he would reconsider his decision in the light of any further material evidence.
The hon. Member will, therefore, appreciate that until any decisions have been made, arising out of current proceedings, about further statutory or judicial action, it would not be appropriate for me to comment or intervene.