HC Deb 01 December 1908 vol 197 cc1265-6
MR. RENTON (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General if he will state how many prosecutions have taken place to date under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and how many convictions have resulted therefrom.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir W. ROBSON,) South Shields

Fifteen prosecutions have been authorised under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906. Convictions have been obtained in ten cases, one case was abandoned, and four cases are still pending.

MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)

How many cases were there in which the Law Officers have refused permission to prosecute?

SIR W. ROBSON

I should not like to answer very positively off-hand, but I myself do not know of any. My learned predecessor may perhaps have refused in some cases.