§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what locations all the police records of the convictions of the Birmingham Six are held; and whether they are available for inspection by solicitors for the prisoners.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand that all police records relating to the convictions of the Birmingham Six are held by the Devon and Cornwall constabulary on behalf of the West Midlands police, except for the forensic evidence which is held by the Director of Public Prosecutions. It would be for the chief constable of the West Midlands police to decide whether to make any particular document available for inspection, in the light of all the circumstances.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what and how many representations he has received concerning the case of the Birmingham Six; and if he will now refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
450WManchester, Thames Valley, Devon and Cornwall, Lancashire and Staffordshire police districts in the years 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987, and 1988.
§ Mr. John PattenInformation held centrally for 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1988 is given in the table. To produce such information for 1977 would involve disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. John PattenSince the case of those convicted of the Birmingham public house bombings was last considered by the Court of Appeal following a reference by my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd), representations proposing that the case be referred again to the Court of Appeal have been received from Members of both Houses of Parliament, representatives of the clergy, representatives of various campaign groups and members of the public.
At present, there are no new grounds on which my right hon. and learned Friend would feel justified in referring this case back to the Court of Appeal, but he is always ready to consider new evidence or other considerations of substance which have not been before the courts and which appear to cast doubt upon the safety of any conviction.