§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what compensation payments have been paid to Paul Hill, Gerard Conlon, Patrick Armstrong and Carole Richardson in respect of their wrongful imprisonment; when they will receive the final sum; and what it will be.
§ Mr. John PattenAs I explained in my written answer of 1 November to the hon. Member at column 183, my right hon. and learned Friend agreed that interim awards of compensation should be made to all four, pending a final settlement of their claims. These payments have been made. It is not our practice to publish details of individual payments to applicants for compensation.
The solicitors representing the four persons concerned have been asked to supply any information they wish the independent assessor to take into account when determining the final sum. It is for the assessor to decide what the amount should be and when he has the information he needs to reach a decision. In accordance with the provisions of section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, my right hon. and learned Friend will accept the assessor's recommendation.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Sir John May commenced work on the454W inquiry into the conviction of the Guildford Four; who is assessing the evidence with him; if all material presented to him will be available to the solicitors of the four; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenSir John May began work on his inquiry on 26 October 1989. Professor J. C. Smith, CBE, until recently professor at law at Nottingham university, has been appointed as an assessor to the inquiry. We will consider the appointment of further assessors if Sir John feels that this is necessary. The conduct of the inquiry will be a matter for Sir John May and it will be for him to decide the extent to which material presented to him during the inquiry will be made more widely available.