HC Deb 23 June 1988 vol 135 cc666-7W
31. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of the City of London police on the identity of the witnesses interviewed during recent inquiries into contacts between two of the principal Crown witnesses during the appeal of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

71. Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of the City of London police on the identity of the witnesses interviewed during the course of inquiries into contacts between Dr. Frank Skuse and former Superintendent Reade during the appeal hearing of the men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

79. Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of the City of London police as to the number and identity of witnesses interviewed in the course of inquiries into alleged contacts between the two principal Crown witnesses during the appeal of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

Mr. John Patten

No. These inquiries into alleged criminal offences were made at the request of the Director of Public Prosecutions, to whom the Commissioner has already submitted a report.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General answered questions on these police investigations on 20 June at columns 823–27.

15. Mr. Terry Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now appoint an independent review tribunal to examine the case against the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

31. Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now appoint an independent inquiry into the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

64. Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now appoint an independent review body to examine the case against the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

Mr. John Patten

No. The conviction has been carefully reviewed by the Court of Appeal, and we see no grounds for setting up any other form of inquiry.

54. Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from the Irish Government regarding the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings; and what was his response.

55. Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from the Irish Government regarding the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings; and what was his response.

84. Mr. Jim Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed with the Irish ambassador or representatives of the Irish Government the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I refer to the reply my right hon. Friend gave earlier to the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Wall).