§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute a public inquiry into the case of James Hanratty; and if he will make a statement. [10468]
§ Mr. KirkhopeNo. In 1974 Mr. Lewis Hawer QC was appointed to carry out an independent assessment of the case and his report, which did not conclude that there had been a miscarriage of justice, was published as Cm 6021. Following a request in July 1994 by solicitors acting for the late Mr. Hanratty's family, my officials arranged for scientific tests to be carried out on certain material relating to the case, but these proved inconclusive. We are currently considering what further action may be necessary in relation to other points raised by the solicitors.