§ 48. Mr. Stokesasked the Attorney-General whether he will make the necessary application to the High Court so that the documents relating to the trials of Tyler Kent, Anna Wolkoff and 901 Mrs. Nicholson may be released for publication in this country, bearing in mind the extensive reference that has been made to the trials in the U.S.A.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is open to any of the defendants, or indeed to others who may have some proper interest in the matter, to make application to the court and those responsible for the prosecutions would not oppose them. I do not think however that there is any public interest which it is my duty to advance by taking an initiative in the matter.
§ Mr. StokesIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that it is widely stated in the United States that this concerns telegrams sent by a very important person in this country to President Roosevelt, both before and after the start of the war, in secret code, through the United States Embassy, behind the back of the British Government? That being so, why does not my right hon. and learned Friend publish the documents so that Members of Parliament know what they are about?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware of all that might be said in the United States of America. From my own study of the case I have not been able to find that there is any matter of public interest upon which it is my duty to take any initiative.
§ Mr. StokesDoes not a Member of Parliament rank as an interested party?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am afraid I should not be able to say that a Member of Parliament necessarily acts as an interested party in this matter. If my hon. Friend has some special interest no doubt he will make it known to the court, and the court will decide whether his application should be granted.
§ Mr. StokesI shall come back to this again.