§ 27. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Attorney-General whether, having regard to the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act and the penalties at common law and by Statute for the dissemination of false news, he will consider the advisability of moving the Public Prosecutor with a view to the prevention of charges in the Press of corruption against Ministers and of such practices as tend to discourage the people of these countries in their efforts to bring the War to a successful issue and to give strength to the enemy?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe expediency of a prosecution has always to be judged in reference to the facts of a particular case, and I do not know to what case my hon. and learned Friend refers. I think public opinion will be far more effective than public prosecution in any such case as my hon. Friend supposes. Of course no objection is taken to public criticism, as long as such criticism is inspired by a single-minded desire to promote the public interest.