§ 25. Mr. Harry Wallaceasked the Attorney-General if he has yet decided to instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to start a prosecution for criminal libel against the editor of the "New Statesman" in respect of the accusations against the Metropolitan Police which appeared in that paper on 24th September and 1st October.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have considered the publications in question. I do not propose to initiate any proceedings, as I do not consider that the facts disclose a criminal offence.
§ Mr. CrossmanDoes the Attorney-General appreciate that the rejection of this proposal will be welcomed by all those who repudiate the abuse of the law in order to curtail the freedom of the Press?
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhatever the political complexion of the newspaper concerned, I certainly do not intend to attempt to stretch the law either of criminal libel or of public mischief in order to restrict the freedom of the Press.
§ Mr. WyattWould the Attorney-General consider instituting proceedings for criminal libel against the editor of the "Spectator" for publishing on 4th November an article—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Question concerns the "New Statesman" and not the "Spectator."
Mr. Ivor ThomasWill not the Attorney-General's answer be specially welcomed by the editorial staff of the "New Statesman"?