§ 1. Mr. Derek Walker-Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to persons carrying on business in the provinces by his Department's practice of instituting in the Metropolitan Courts of Summary Jurisdiction all proceedings in respect of offences alleged under the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947; and whether he will review the position.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)No question of inconvenience to any trader can arise if he completes the census form and returns it in accordance with the directions given, but I am considering the point raised by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it a rather remarkable implication of his answer that nobody is ever prosecuted unless he afterwards turns out to be guilty, and is he satisfied that there is no concurrent jurisdiction in regard to prosecutions under this Act?
§ Mr. WilsonIn reply to the hon. Gentleman's second point, I am in discussion with my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General about this whole question.