§ 33. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will advise the use of the Royal 1387 Prerogative of Mercy in the case of Miss Pat Arrowsmith, who was fined on grounds of obstruction for holding a meeting near Liverpool docks and is refusing to pay the fine and the £25 costs awarded against her.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Henry Brooke)Miss Arrowsmith's conviction was upheld by the Divisional Court on Appeal. On present information I can see no ground for recommending the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the Home Secretary aware that the fine has been paid since my Question was originally tabled, and paid by an anonymous source? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the more serious matter that the legal costs which remain unpaid were awarded personally against Miss Arrowsmith by the Lord Chief Justice although she had been granted legal aid with a nil contribution? Is this in order?
§ Mr. BrookeDecisions of the courts are not a matter for me. The question of enforcement of costs is a matter for the local authority.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIf a series of decisions in the courts appeared to show an unexplained discrimination—unless the discrimination were on political grounds—would there not be a case for the Home Secretary to intervene?
§ Mr. BrookeNo. It is most important that the Home Secretary should not intervene in decisions taken by a court after hearing all the evidence in the case.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunYes, but is the Home Secretary aware that there happens to be a similar case, again involving an instruction of a nil contribution certificate, where the legal costs have been personally awarded against the prosecuted person?
§ Mr. BrookeThese are not matters for me.