HC Deb 01 December 1998 vol 321 cc133-4W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has received for the exercise of his discretionary powers in the case of Augusto Pinochet; and when he received them. [61865]

Mr. Straw

On 21 October, the Extradition Section received a request from Senator Pinochet's legal representatives to exercise my discretion under section 8(4) of the Extradition Act 1989. Since 25 November, the Extradition Section at the Home Office has received a number of representations, for and against the issuing of an Authority to Proceed.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Bow Street Magistrates regarding the timetable of proceedings in the case of Augusto Pinochet. [61863]

Mr. Straw

One of my officials wrote to the Deputy Chief Clerk of Bow Street Magistrates' Court on 20 November and on 26 November. The letter of 26 November asked the Magistrate, when setting a date for receipt of an Authority to Proceed, to take into account the fact that I had received notice that I would be receiving representations for and against the issue of an Authority to Proceed.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable for the exercise of his discretion in the case of Augusto Pinochet. [61864]

Mr. Straw

The Bow Street Magistrate, under section 9(5) of the Extradition Act 1989, has fixed Friday 11 December as the date by which I should decide whether to issue an Authority to Proceed.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding Augusto Pinochet following the judgment of the House of Lords in Reginav. Burtle and Commissioner of Police on 25 November. [61867]

Mr. Straw

By the end of Monday 30 November, the Extradition Section at the Home Office had received a number of representations, for and against the issue of an Authority to Proceed.