§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked Mr. Attorney General, If he will revise the functions of the Public Prosecutor in cases of criminal in formations for libel, so as to provide for a hearing being given to the accused before the official fiat is issued?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)Sir, I do not think it will be necessary to revise any instructions to the Director of Prosecutions, so as to make it obligatory on him in all cases to hear the persons against whom complaint is made before granting his fiat. He has that, power now within his discretion, and to make it obligatory in all cases might, in some cases, tend to defeat justice. But I think I shall meet my hon. Friend's wishes if I call the attention of the Director of Prosecutions to the desirability of considering in all eases whether he will not hear the persons complained of before granting the fiat for the prosecution.