HL Deb 06 December 1988 vol 502 cc557-8WA
Lord Campbell of Alloway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in considering representations about the case of the four persons convicted of offences arising from the bombing of public houses in Guildford and Woolwich in 1974.

Earl Ferrers

In April my right honourable friend the Home Secretary received a report from the Chief Constable of the Avon and Somerset police on the results of inquiries made into certain matters raised with him since his Statement of 20th January 1987 which was repeated in your Lordships' House (cols. 848–852). Since then, and in particular during October and November, we have received further representations about the case, both from the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, and from firms of solicitors acting for the four persons convicted, some of which purport to disclose new evidence. My right honourable friend has been asked to take these further matters into account in reaching his decision on whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, in the exercise of his power under Section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968. He has agreed to do so. His decision should obviously be based on the fullest available information. Further inquiries are now being carried out by the police into some of the new matters which have been raised and he intends to reach a decision in January.