HC Deb 21 October 1991 vol 196 cc308-9W
Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Attorney-General if he will give urgent consideration to meeting the families of those who died at Hillsborough.

The Attorney-General

If the hon. Member will write to me specifying the issues which it is suggested should be raised, I will gladly consider whether any matter falling within my own ministerial responsibilities could appropriately be discussed at such a meeting.

Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Attorney-General if he will quash the verdict of the recent Hillsborough inquest and set up a judicial review.

The Attorney-General

My jurisdiction concerning inquests is limited to the circumstances described in section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988. That provision enables me to apply to, or give my authority for an application to, the High Court for an order that an inquest, or a fresh inquest, as the case may be, is held into a person's death. The jurisdiction to make such an order is expressly reserved to the High Court, and my role is confined to deciding whether or not an application to the High Court should be made under that section. No material has been placed before me by the hon. Member or by any other person which would justify an application being made to the High Court under section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 in relation to the Hillsborough inquest.