§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the conduct of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been dilatory and contrary to the interests of justice in the Birmingham Six cases, where men who may be innocent have been in custody for over sixteen years.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)No. My right honourable friend the Attorney General is satisfied that both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the police are dealing with this matter with maximum expedition consistent with thoroughness.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the desire to investigate the behaviour of certain police officers in 1974 is prejudicing the current appeal on the cases of the Birmingham Six.
§ The Lord ChancellorNo. The matters which continue to be investigated by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary are all material to the consideration by the Court of Appeal of the cases of the Birmingham Six.