Hillsborough Debate Date Set

A House of Commons debate on the full release of government papers related to the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 people died will be held on October 17.

Members of Parliament have agreed to stage the debate in response to an e-petition on the Downing Street website that has now been signed by more than 140,000 people, many of whom are fans of clubs other than Liverpool.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron had said that any e-petition on the website that receives more than 100,000 signatories should be considered for debate by MPs.

Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram, who has been a driving force behind the campaign, revealed the news of a date on Twitter, saying: "Confirmation: Hillsborough debate agreed - October 17 for half a day in the House of Commons Chamber with a vote on the motion if necessary.

"Let's not get carried away. We have secured a HoC (House of Commons) debate, but this is not the end of the fight. Thanks to Merseyside MPs, Andy Burnham and others."

Rotheram enthused further on the support of the people on the campaign when he presented the application for a parliamentary debate to the Backbench Business Committee on Tuesday.

"This is an issue that will not go away until there is justice for the 96," he said. "Within two weeks the e-petition had acquired well over the 100,000 signatures required. The campaign spread far and wide.

"People from all over this country and people of all different football and political persuasions, came together and said, finally, after 22 years, enough is enough."

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign (HJC) welcomed the decision, with chairman Kenny Derbyshire saying: "We would like to thank those MPs who turned up in support of the recent e-petition.

"They have made the right decision in moving this forward to be debated in the House. However, we would like to thank those people who made this possible.

"This turn of events would not be occurring were it not for the overwhelming support of the general public who signed the e-petition, which resulted in more than 100,000 signatures in less than a week.

"They alone should take credit for this; a great example of people power succeeding.

"Whilst pleased with today's outcome, the bereaved families of the HJC point out that they still strongly oppose the Government's decision to appeal the Commissioner's ruling and request again that the Government withdraw the appeal.

"The families of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign want the minutes of the cabinet meeting held under Margaret Thatcher to be released (without redaction) in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and as deemed by the Information Commissioner to be in the 'public interest'.

"The families can see no logical reason why this should be at variance with the work of the Hillsborough Panel."

Ministers have so far failed to officially support calls for all the reports about the 1989 tragedy to be made public.

However, it is hoped that next month's debate will help persuade the government to waive the 30-year rule and allow the papers' release to the families of the victims.