§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of Dr. Clift's Birmingham cases were reviewed by Miss Pereira in 1978; how many were referred to the Court of Appeal; and what was the reason for rejecting those not referred.
§ Mr. MellorMiss Pereira screened 248 case files which had been handled by Dr. Clift during his period at the Birmingham forensic science laboratory and selected 59 cases for closer examination. None of these is among the 16 cases which my right hon. and learned Friend decided it would be appropriate for him to refer to the Court of Appeal. The basis on which that decision was made is explained in his reply on 26 January, at columns 625–27, to a question from the right hon. Member.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can review the Clift cases in which the 221W defendant pleaded guilty with a view to identifying those where Clift's evidence was crucial to the conviction so that they may be referred to the Court of Appeal.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. and learned Friend does not propose at present to take any action in relation to these cases. He will reconsider the position if, by the time the Court of Appeal has heard appeals in all the eleven cases he has referred to it, some relevant new consideration has emerged.