MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General if it is now finally decided that the Crown shall undertake no prosecutions against persons concerned in the recent trial at Worcester under the Corrupt Practices Act.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLBefore the hon. and learned Gentleman answers may I ask whether, as these people have been sufficiently punished by the shame and notoriety of the offence, he does not regard it as consistent with his duty to take no further proceedings against them, seeing that far greater Parliamentary offences, such as the sale and purchase of peerages, are allowed to pass with impunity.
§ Sir JOHN WALTONThe hon. Member is apparently under the impression that no prosecutions were brought in consequence of the Report drawn up on this matter. Five prosecutions were instituted. Of these one was withdrawn, and four cases were brought before the Grand Jury. The Bill against one defendant was thrown out, leaving three defendants to be tried before a jury. They all put in pleas of "Guilty." We do not propose to institute any further prosecutions.