§ 2. Mr. Masonasked the Attorney-General if he has now received the report of police investigations into bribery in professional football; and if he will make a statement.
§ 9. Mr. Dalyellasked the Attorney-General what report he has now received of police investigations into bribery in professional footballers; and what action he proposes to take.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir John Hobson)Police reports were received by the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday and are now under consideration by him.
§ Mr. MasonWould the Attorney-General agree that it is true to say that only one-third of this iceberg has really reared its head, that there must be more revelations to follow and that this will make a farce of the piecemeal investigations that the police have already made, especially when there was a revelation after they had allegedly completed their investigations recently? Will he impress upon the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Home Secretary the need for a national public judicial inquiry so that this matter can be cleared up once and for all, because I warn the Attorney-General that if this is not done some of the aggrieved players may, as the arch villain of the piece, Gauld, did, reveal more to the Press and consequently there could be a fresh outbreak?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs to the investigations already made by the police, they have, of course, had to be very extensive, but they are, I think, on the matters that have been investigated complete. Fresh matters have been raised recently, and these also are under investigation. I am bound to say that if these matters are to be dealt with by the police, as I would think is the proper way, all those with information ought to supply such information to the police at the earliest possible opportunity. As to the question of a tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, that, of course, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithI am qualifying what I have to say because, as police court proceedings may take place, it would not be right to make any comments here, but, at the same time, will the Attorney-General now use his influence in order to treat this matter as one of extreme urgency?
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes, I am aware of the urgency of the matter and I am anxious that the consideration of the report should be as expeditious as it can be.