HC Deb 01 January 1913 vol 46 cc368-70
30 and 31. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether the Director of Public Prosecutions will now obtain a list of all the persons who had access to the Crown Jewels in Dublin Castle at the time they were stolen in 1907 and of all admitted to the Castle at that time by those persons; and (2) if the Director of Public Prosecutions is unable to obtain the names of the persons who had access to the Crown Jewels in Dublin Castle at the time those jewels were stolen in 1907, and of others admitted to the Castle at that time by those persons; will he say how many of those persons domiciled in England can be made amenable to the criminal law; whether the names have been obtained or will be obtained for this purpose; and, if not, will he say what peculiarity in the crime mentioned confers immunity on persons who in other circumstances would be subject to the ordinary criminal law?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Rufus Isaacs)

As I have already stated, the powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions are confined to criminal offences alleged to have been committed in England or in Wales, and it is not within the scope of his duties either to make the inquiries or to obtain the information to which the hon. Member's questions refer.

Mr. GINNELL

I wish to know whether the administrators of the criminal law have obtained in Dublin or from the War Office the facts connected with the expulsion of two officers named in this House on the 27th April, 1909, their expulsion having been in connection with this crime?

Sir RUFUS ISAACS

That does not come within my province.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why the administrators of the criminal law, whose duty it is to investigate crime, failed to discharge their duty in this particular case even after having been given names and dates in this House?

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman has already stated that it does not come within his jurisdiction.

Mr. GINNELL

How is it that it is only in this particular case that the administrators of the criminal law have no information, refuse to seek it, and refuse to take it when given?

Mr. KING

May I ask—

Mr. SPEAKER

I must ask the hon. Member for Somerset not to ask on every occasion.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my second question?

Sir RUFUS ISAACS

I have already answered it.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a sworn investigation into this case, and, if not, why not?

Sir RUFUS ISAACS

The matter is not within my jurisdiction.