§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations he has received seeking a judicial review of the case of the Armagh Four; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend has, in addition to a petition and numerous letters from the public, received a total of 144 representations about the case. These have generally sought to encourage him to exercise his discretionary power to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal, which he would do only if some new evidence or consideration of substance is produced. It is claimed in a dossier presented to my right hon. Friend in January that such new evidence does exist. The document is, therefore, being examined in detail and inquiries are being conducted at present to see whether this claim can be substantiated. Only when these inquiries have been completed and the results fully considered will my right hon. Friend be in a position to decide whether or not he would be justified in referring the case back to the Court of Appeal.