§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 February,Official Report, column 218, what inquiries he made of persons in (a) Scarborough and (b) Northern Ireland before announcing that the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Sir John Hermon, was in Northern Ireland throughout 19 May 1986; on what evidence his statement to the House was based; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdNo inquiries were made of any persons in Scarborough. In Northern Ireland an inquiry was addressed to the Royal Ulster Constabulary. I was informed that Sir John Hermon held a meeting in his office on the morning of 19 May, that he attended a medal presentation ceremony in the afternoon, and that in the evening he had a dinner engagement, all these engagements being in Northern Ireland.