§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 633, what are the terms of reference of the Devon and Cornwall police inquiry into the new evidence submitted on behalf of the Birmingham Six; when he expects the inquiry to report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenMy right hon. and learned Friend has sent to the chief constable of the West Midlands police a copy of representations from the solicitor acting on behalf of the Birmingham Six, and has asked him for a report on matters arising out of those representations. The chief constable has asked the Devon and Cornwall constabulary to undertake inquiries on his behalf. It is too early to form a view on the length of time those inquiries are likely to take.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take concerning the missing evidence of the West Midlands police force on matters concerning the Birmingham Six.
§ Mr. John PattenIt has not been established that any relevant evidence concerning the Birmingham Six case is missing. Representations about this possibility are among the issues which have been raised by the solicitor acting for the convicted men. These have been passed by my right hon. and learned Friend to the chief constable of the West Midlands police and will be investigated by the Devon and Cornwall police.