HC Deb 15 January 1990 vol 165 cc28-9W
Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusion he has reached as a result of the meeting he had this week with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs about the Birmingham Six.

Mr. Waddington

I explained to Mr. Collins when I met him on 8 January that I was giving very careful consideration to further material which had been submitted to me on behalf of the Birmingham Six. I will decide as soon as possible whether that further material justifies any intervention on my part.

Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to meet members of the European Parliament Committee set up to consider the soundness of the conviction of the Birmingham Six.

Mr. Waddington

As I said in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend on 30 November 1989, I understand that the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has not yet decided whether to conduct an inquiry into the case of the Birmingham Six, and if so, what its terms of reference should be. We believe that it would be inappropriate for the European Parliament to inquire into the convictions of the Birmingham Six, which we regard as a matter wholly outside the Parliament's competence.

Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now had an opportunity of considering fresh evidence presented to him before Christmas by lawyers representing the Birmingham Six; and if he has reached a conclusion.

Mr. Waddington

I am considering very carefully the further material which has been presented to me by a solicitor on behalf of the Birmingham Six, and will decide as soon as possible whether it justifies any intervention on my part.