§ 56. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Prime Minister if he will introduce a Bill to amend the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907 (Section 1, Sub-section 6), whereby if the Attorney General prosecutes he can nevertheless interpose his veto without appeal between the prisoner and the House of Lords?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware that any practical inconvenience or hardship has resulted from the operation of the provisions referred to in the question, but I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. SNOWDENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is something in the nature of a public scandal that the prosecution should have the right of granting or refusing permission to appeal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Attorney-General is supposed, and I think rightly supposed, to exercise a judicial function in this regard. But I think the suggestion is worth considering.