§ 13. Mr. Radfordasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of an employé at an Admiralty chart depôt, in whose motorcycling coat were flying charts on which were written a list of towns with aerodromes; who also was in possession of a revolver and holster and a German cap; and was last week sentenced at Grimsby to three months' imprisonment; and whether adequate steps will be taken to prevent this individual, after he has served his sentence, from continuing his activities?
§ Sir J. AndersonCertain further inquiries are being made in this case, and when these have been completed I will 230 give further consideration to the suggestion put forward in my hon. Friend's Question.
§ Mr. RadfordWould it not be possible to take action against this traitor under the Treachery Act? Throughout the country there is the gravest indignation about the cases in which utterly inadequate sentences are imposed?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt does not rest with me to determine what procedure is to be followed in setting the criminal law in motion. I am not in the ordinary course, referred to in these matters at all. The Home Secretary is not the prosecuting authority.
§ Mr. RadfordWho is the authority?
§ Sir J. AndersonAll prosecutions under the criminal law in this country are carried out under the general supervision and direction of the Law Officers of the Crown.
§ Captain Alan GrahamSurely national security demands further steps?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat is a separate matter. A case of this kind would not ordinarily come to my notice at all until it is brought before the courts and once it is brought before the courts it is not proper for me to intervene.
§ Mr. LevyWas this particular case brought before the Law Officers of the Crown, or went through the ordinary administration without their knowledge?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat may well be, but I do not think the question arises out of the Question on the Paper.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDoes not the Minister recognise that all these formal considerations, which have applied for so long, must now be waived?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo one is more alive than I am to the requirements of national security, but that is no reason why I should take upon myself functions belonging to other Departments.