3 SEPTEMBER 2005, Page 16

From The Rt Hon. Lord Tebbit

Sir: Paul Johnson referred in his column (And another thing, 20 August) to my parliamentary question which prised out the number of people who had died in England and Wales since 1963 at the hands of persons previously convicted of homicide. The somewhat stilted English is necessary to avoid ministers minimising the numbers by sheltering behind the definitions of unlawful killing, manslaughter and murder. Up to November of last year the total was 108 — rather more than 2.5 a year.

By definition they were all innocent victims. I doubt if there were ever in recent times 2.5 cases a year of miscarriage of justice leading to the execution of innocent people.

Tebbit

London SW1