§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has a list of all the cases in which Dr. Clift gave evidence.
§ Mr. WhitelawNo.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests he has received, from convicted persons, or their representatives, for reconsideration of their conviction because Dr. Clift gave evidence in the case.
§ Mr. WhitelawAs I explained in my letter to the right hon. Member of 23 June, the police officers examining Dr. Clift's work at the request of the Director of Public Prosecutions brought two cases to the attention of my predecessor; one further prisoner asked for his conviction to be reconsidered; and one other prisoner included allegations about forensic evidence in his grounds of appeal to the Court of Appeal.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, after the hearing in July of Dr. Clift's case by a departmental retirement board, he will publish the statement of the six cases about which there was doubt which was sent to Dr. Clift in November 1979, together with his response, and a summary of the proceedings of the hearings of the board.
§ Mr. WhitelawNo. It would not be appropriate to publish material prepared for internal proceedings relating to an individual member of staff nor a summary of the proceedings of a departmental retirement board, which is held in private. When the board's report has been received and considered, I shall announce what decision has been made on its recommendation.