§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of the deceased in all cases of deaths in custody since 1987 in which public interest immunity was authorised; who authorised it; and for what reason. [33343]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested, which relates to deaths in police custody as well as Prison Service custody, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, in relation to prison custody, inquiries show that from 1992 to the present there was one occasion when a public interest immunity certificate was signed in connection with a death in prison custody. This was in connection with a prosecution for the murder of a prisoner where a certificate was signed by the Home Secretary in connection with certain security-sensitive material.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who authorised the public interest immunity in the case of Mr. Omasese Lumumba; and if he will make a statement. [33342]
§ Miss WiddecombeSo far as I am aware, no claim for public interest immunity was made in this case.