§ 40. Mr. Freesonasked the Attorney-General if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute criminal proceedings against leaders of the British Nazi Party for conspiracy at common law to commit arson and sacrilege against places of worship and other buildings.
§ 41. Mr. Abseasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the judge in a recent arson trial said that those convicted had been ensnared and used by unscrupulous persons, and that evidence was presented in the trial by the prosecution that a Mrs. Jordan had encouraged those convicted to burn down synagogues; and if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to proceed against those who by procuring and counselling those convicted were accessories before the fact to the felonies committed.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe police are continuing their inquiries into these matters, and the Director of Public Prosecutions is considering whether further criminal proceedings in respect of them should 399 be instituted. I understand that Mrs. Jordan is at present outside the jurisdiction.
§ Mr. FreesonWhile thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for a much more sympathetic reply than the one which we had on a previous occasion, may I ask him if he will bear closely in mind that these people, members of the Nazi Party, together with other Fascist and anti-immigrant organisations, have, for the past 20 months or more, been organising arson, violence and even death against Jewish and coloured members of the community, and that there is a sense of urgency which should be kept in this matter?
§ The Attorney-GeneralOf course, I have these matters very much in mind. The House will know that there have already been prosecutions in respect of these matters which have resulted, in certain cases, in the infliction of long terms of imprisonment. We certainly have the situation under very watchful eyes indeed.
§ Mr. AbseIn view of the very great concern amongst the Jewish community in Britain after a judge has categorically stated that there are people behind those who have so far been convicted against whom no proceedings have continued, would my right hon. and learned Friend perhaps tell the House whether in the course of his investigation he is finding that the Race Relations Act is too weak to be able to deal with the situation? What talks is my right hon. and learned Friend having with the Lord President over the question of amending that Act?
§ The Attorney-GeneralWith respect, the Race Relations Act is not the weapon in the armoury of the criminal law one would call in aid to deal with arson or incitement to arson. Fortunately, the criminal law is well able to deal with that kind of criminality. The problem is to get the necessary evidence against the individual and to catch the individual.
§ Sir B. JannerWill my right hon. and learned Friend take into consideration the fact that no judge is likely to award the kind of judgment which was given in the case in question unless he is satisfied by actual evidence placed before him that the facts were such that this incitement did take place, and, in consequence of 400 that, would my right hon. and learned Friend get in touch with the learned judge to ask him if he will assist him in the inquiries which he is undertaking now?
§ The Attorney-GeneralIf I may say so, I am familiar with all the relevant facts of the matter. A person who was alleged to have been guilty of the incitement in that case has been expressly named in the Question, and, therefore, it is proper that I should refer to her, namely, Mrs. Jordan, and she is at the moment out of the jurisdiction of the courts of this country.
§ Mr. CrowderCan the Attorney-General say whether or not Treasury Counsel have been asked to advise on the evidence in this matter as is usual?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThis matter has, of course, been under the active consideration of the Director and myself. Whether or not Treasury Counsel are called in aid, if I may say so, their advice is not always necessary.