§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the reasons why journalists identified by either a membership and press card issued by the National Union of Journalists or credentials issued by the Metropolitan police are being denied access to the Central Criminal Court during the hearing of the appeal in connection with the Birmingham pub bombings, despite the court not being full; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggArrangements for the admission of journalists to the Central Criminal Court are made by the Commissioner of Police for the City of London in consultation with the court administrator. I understand from the commissioner that journalists who possess either press passes validated by the police or letters of authority from their editors are able to gain access to the Central Criminal Court.