asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the further action he intends to take to obtain the release of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
39.
Written Answers. - Birmingham Six and Guildford Four Cases.
37.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report the up-to-date position on the prospect of the Guildford Four case going to the Court of Appeal in Britain.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 39 together.
With regard to the Birmingham Six case, I indicated in a statement on 14 April this year that the Government consider that there are compelling humanitarian reasons for the Home Secretary to consider using the wide-ranging powers available to him in such cases. This remains our position. We have reiterated our concerns to the British authorities on all appropriate occasions, including when I met the Home Secretary on 14 September last, and will continue to do so.
As the Deputy is aware, the Guildford Four case is at present under review by the Home Secretary who is expected to decide in the near future whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. The Government strongly support a referral on a basis which will allow the court to examine fully all the relevant evidence. The Home Secretary is fully aware of our position on the matter.