33. Mr. Fred Evansasked the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds of the trial of the nine men accused 27 under the Public Order Act, 1936, at Swansea during May to June, 1969.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Elwyn Jones)The cost to public funds of the prosecution was, in round figures, £23,000 and of the defence £61,500.
Mr. EvansDoes not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that, in a situation in which we are trying to attract industrialists to Wales, such figures and the situation they portray are doing Wales an extremely bad disservice in driving away, through the activities of nationalist extremists, the very people we wish to attract?
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is certainly in the interests of Wales that there should be unequivocal support for law and order and that is the best contribution that can be made to the interests of Wales at the present time. This prosecution was brought in respect of serious charges and it was right in the public interest that they should be brought.