HC Deb 18 February 1988 vol 127 c705W
29. Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement the recommendation of the Home Affairs Select Committee in its report on "Miscarriages of Justice" to the effect that an independent review body be set up to review cases of alleged miscarriage of justice; and if he will make a statement.

51. Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement the recommendation of the Home Affairs Committee's report on "Miscarriages of Justice" that an independent review tribunal be set up to examine alleged miscarriages of justice; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

No. The Government's response to this recommendation was set out in paragraphs 7 to 16 of our reply to the Home Affairs Committee (Cmnd. 8856).

34. Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the recommendations of the Home Affairs Select Committee report on "miscarriages of Justice" which have been implemented.

Mr. John Patten

The Select Committee's recommendation for the establishment of a public prosecution service was implemented in the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The other principal recommendations concerning an independent review body have not been accepted, for reasons given in the Government's reply to the report (Cmnd. 8856), to which I refer the hon. Member for further details.

42. Mrs. Wise

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to refer any further cases of alleged miscarriages of justice to the Court of Appeal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

My right hon. Friend will continue to exercise the power given him by section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 in accordance with established practice where he is satisfied that there is some new evidence or other new consideration of substance which has not previously been taken into account by a court and which the Court of Appeal can properly consider.