HC Deb 17 April 2002 vol 383 cc957-8W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases regarding life prisoners who maintain their innocence referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [48654]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The specific information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It is possible to provide figures relating to those with convictions for murder where it might be assumed that a life sentence was involved. The latest available figures show that there have been 59 such referrals since the establishment of the commission. Of these, 31 are awaiting an appeal hearing. Of the 28 appeals against a murder conviction that have been heard, the conviction was quashed in 19 cases, and judgment reserved in one case. Of the eight such convictions that were upheld by the Court of Appeal, one went on to the House of Lords where it was quashed.

Legislation requires the Court of Appeal to allow an appeal against conviction if they think the conviction is unsafe and to dismiss such an appeal in any other case. In each case the Court of Appeal's written judgment sets out the reasons for their decision on the safety of the conviction.

Almost all of those applying to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to have their convictions reviewed do so because they are maintaining their innocence.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission about the treatment of life prisoners who maintain their innocence; and what the outcome was of these discussions. [48650]

Mr. Keith Bradley

There have been no such discussions. Since the establishment in 1997 of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has had no role in the review of alleged miscarriages of justice. The commission is an independent body and it would therefore be inappropriate for the Home Secretary to intervene in this way.