§ 54. Mr. Quibellasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that where prosecutions are undertaken by his Department the Ministry is- adequately represented by counsel of equal calibre to those employed by the defendants in such cases?
§ Mr. MabaneMy Noble Friend sympathises with the point of view of my hon. Friend and endeavours to arrange for the prosecution in all food cases to be conducted adequately. It would not, however, be desirable to make it a rule that counsel must be briefed for the prosecution whenever it is thought that counsel is likely to appear for the defence.
§ Mr. QuibellIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in a recent case referred to in the Question senior counsel, a junior barrister and two solicitors were briefed for the defence, and the excuse of the prosecution as to why they could not get a counsel of equal status was because they were so busily engaged elsewhere?
§ Mr. MabaneI think the hon. Member knows that that particular case is being carefully investigated at the moment.