§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of alleged miscarriages of justice his Department has considered in each of the last 10 years; and what action has been taken in each case. [27990]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe number of cases in respect of which representations were received by my right hon. Friend are as follows:
- 1984: 54
- 1985: 43
- 1986: 61
- 1987: 61
- 1988: 46
- 1989: 60
- 1990: 39
- 1991: 54
- 1992: 58
- 1993: 52
- 1994: 30
Eighteen cases are at present under consideration. Seven cases were referred by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the Court of Appeal under section 263(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975. Petitions were refused in all other cases.
§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of alleged miscarriages of justice he has referred to the Court of Appeal in each of the past 10 years; and with what result. [277991]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has referred seven cases, relating to eight persons, to the Court of Appeal during the past 10 years. The number of cases in each year and the outcome of the subsequent appeals are set out in the table:672W
Year of referral Number of cases referred (persons) Outcome of appeal 1984 — — 1985 — — 1986 1(1) Conviction quashed 1987 — — 1988 1(1) Conviction quashed 1989 1(1) Conviction quashed 1990 — — 1991 1(2) Appeals dismissed 1992 1(1) Amended verdict of guilty Substituted 1993 2(2) Appeal dismissed/appeal Abandoned 1994 — —