§ 20. Mr. Silkinasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to two actions which recently came before the High Court brought by a common informer, Green, for penalties; that in each case when the proceedings came before the Court the common informer discontinued, allowing judgment to go against him with costs; that this same common informer has brought numerous other similar actions; that he is without the means to pay any costs that may be awarded against him and that these actions constitute a form of blackmail; and, in view of the undesirability of these practices being allowed to continue, what steps he proposes taking in the matter?
§ Sir S. HoareI have seen reports in the Press of the cases to which the hon. Member refers. The matter can only be dealt with by legislation, and, as I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on 1st December last, it is already the practice, when Statutes which authorise the payment of penalties to the informer are brought under review by amending legislation, to substitute penalty provisions in modern form.
§ Mr. R. GibsonWhat is the procedure when a common informer is an undischarged bankrupt? Is he under an obligation to find security for costs?
§ Sir S. HoareI could not answer that question without notice, but I think it would be a question for the Attorney-General, and not for me.