§ 51. Mr. Windsorasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the fact revealed in a recent case in the High Court that confidential information had been disclosed to Mr. Baker White and Major Hoare, officers of the Economic League, by the Manchester city police; what steps he proposes to take to discover whether, in fact, police documents containing the names of, and information regarding Communists, were made available to the Economic League by the Manchester city police; and will he make a statement to the House and institute proceedings against those responsible?
§ 50. Mr. Prittasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Cookson versus Pountney, decided in the High Court on Monday, the 14th instant; whether he is aware that the facts deposed to in that case give ground for suspecting that certain officers of the Manchester city police had communicated to one Hoare and one White, servants of a body called the Economic League, confidential information on political and industrial matters obtained by such officers in the course of their duties; that both the communication and the receipt of such information constituted offences under the Official Secrets Act, 1911; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to instituting prosecutions against the persons involved?
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell)I have had certain information with regard to this matter, and do not consider it a case for proceedings under the Official Secrets Acts.
§ Mr. StephenCan the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether confidential information has been given?
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, I had better confine myself to the general statement 842 that, having considered the information in my possession, I do not think it is a case which ought to be proceeded with under the Official Secrets Act.
§ Mr. StephenIs the reason why the Attorney-General is not taking proceedings, because this organisation is subsidiary to the Conservative party?
§ The Attorney-GeneralOf all considerations, that is one, at any rate which had no influence with me at any time, nor do l know that it is the fact.
§ Mr. Morgan JonesWould the Attorney-General regard it as a proper thing for such information to be given by the police, if it were so given?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am afraid it is quite outside my province to give the House information as to what is or what is not a proper attitude on the part of the police.
§ Mr. G. StraussWas permission given by the chief constable for the giving of this information?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat, again, is outside my province. I have only to deal with the question of whether, on the information in my possession, I consider it a proper case to proceed under the Official Secrets Act.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairWill the hon. and learned Gentleman give us more information than merely saying that he is not going to take proceedings under the Official Secrets Act? Is this not a matter on which the House of Commons is entitled to information as to whether confidential information has been given or not?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI did not say that I was not going to take proceedings, in that form. I said that on the information in my possession it was not a case for proceedings under the Official Secrets Act and that, I think, is where my jurisdiction in this matter ends. It would, obviously, be quite impossible in a case, where there is a question of criminal proceedings, for me to give full information in all the various matters which have been considered.
§ Mr. A. HendersonCan the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether confidential information was disclosed by the police to these two gentlemen?