§ 42. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Attorney-General whether he has now received the report of the Public Prosecutor regarding the affairs of the St. Mary Steamship Company, Limited; and, if so, will he inform the House what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)I have received the report of the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the affairs of this company. After careful consideration of the facts disclosed as the result of the Board of Trade Inquiry, all of which were more than eight years old, I have come to the conclusion that neither the public interest nor the interests of the shareholders would be served by any action which it is in my power to direct. I therefore propose to take no action.
§ Mr. JONESIs it not a fact that the report presented to the Public Prosecutor discloses gross frauds perpetrated by this company for years, and, if that is so, why does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman take action?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALThe offences that were disclosed were committed eight years ago, and I am satis- 1761 fied that the public interest would not be served by prosecuting a man who has been already in prison for 12 months and punished for other offences in the same connection.
§ Mr. JONESIs the period of years that has elapsed since the frauds were committed any reason for not taking against all such menaces to the commercial integrity of the nation?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI have to exercise the best of my judgment in the matter.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDo the facts not reveal that private enterprise in shipping is a failure?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Attorney-General has given his answer.
§ Mr. JONESI beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this question on the Adjournment this day week.