§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons it took from January 1998 to June 1999 to decide whether Keith Birchall should be granted compensation. [91826]
§ Kate HoeyMr. Birchall's application for compensation for a wrongful conviction was made on 20 February 1998. In October 1997, a review had begun of the interpretation of section 133(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, which provides that compensation shall be paid where a conviction has been
reversed … on the ground that a new or newly discovered fact shows beyond reasonable doubt that there has been a miscarriage of justice".This review involved obtaining legal advice, consultation with other Departments and Ministers, and internal consideration. Mr. Birchall's application was one of a number that could not be determined until the review was concluded in April 1999; I am sorry that it took so long to do so.