§ 55. Mr. Masonasked the Attorney-General, in view of the bribing of football players that has taken place by a syndicate, if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to have inquiries made of the Football Association and the Football League with a view to instituting criminal proceedings against those responsible.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir John Hobson)No, Sir, I understand that if the Football Association and the Football League obtain any evidence that a criminal offence has been committed they will make it available to the police. It is not therefore necessary for me to ask for inquiries to be made.
§ Mr. MasonDoes not the Attorney-General agree that we cannot leave this to the private committee meetings of the Football League and Football Association? There is no telling to what extent this bribery has gone on previously, or to what extent punters on fixed odds betting in the provinces have 671 been misled and have wasted their bets in previous years. Therefore, the Attorney-General himself should take an interest in this matter. It is a national matter and concerns a national sport. It is affecting many millions of people and, therefore, the Attorney-General cannot just leave it with the Football League and Football Association.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI recognise that this is a matter of considerable public importance and of great importance to those who have betted in the past and will bet in future on the results of football matches. However, I have taken the interest and trouble to find out what the situation is, and, as I told the hon. Member, the Football League and Football Association not only are carrying on the inquiry, but have undertaken that if any evidence of a criminal offence emerges as a result of their inquiries they will make it available to the police. At this stage we can only wait to see whether such evidence emerges. Perhaps it is better to leave it at that for the moment and see what eventuates.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerSurely my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) is right in saying that this is not only a matter of interest to those who bet on the pools, but is a matter of vital importance to the good name of British sport. Therefore, should not the Attorney-General himself do what my hon. Friend suggests, and take some action?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs I say, it is known that an inquiry is going on. The only question is whether it is necessary at this stage for me to take any steps additional to that, or wait for the implementation of the promise from the Football League and Football Association that they will make the results of their inquiries available. The second course seems to me satisfactory, but I will consider at a later stage whether anything further requires to be done.
Mr. ShinweilSince there seems to be a little time left for a supplementary question, may I ask the Attorney-General whether, if he finds it necessary to consult the Football Association, he will take the opportunity to ask why it 672 is sin difficult for Members of Parliament to get a ticket for the Cup Final?
§ Mr. MitchisonIf a breach of the law is suspected, and if there are grounds for suspecting it, is it not the duty of the police to make inquiries?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThey have. They have been in touch with the Football League and are awaiting the results of the inquiries to see whether they feel that further inquiries by themselves are necessary.