§ 47. Mr. Whitakerasked the Attorney-General whether he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to take proceedings against those responsible for conspiring to utter the so-called Zinoviev letter in the light of the recent evidence sent to him showing that it was forged.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNeither I nor the Director of Public Prosecutions have received such evidence. If any is sent to the Director he will no doubt consider it.
§ Mr. WhitakerAlternatively, can the Attorney-General consider the prosecution for false pretences of these officials of the Conservative Central Office, who bought this forgery for £10,000 and have not yet honoured their obligation by paying that money?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThis again is a matter of alleged history, about which I have no evidence.
§ Sir J. HobsonWould not the Attorney-General agree that both this and the previous Question show the same 971 undesirability of asking him Questions when he has a quasi-judicial function to perform and before he has taken his decision, while recognising that he is responsible when the decision has been taken?
§ The Attorney-GeneralSpeakers in the House have given cognisance to this Question. I share the view of the right hon. and learned Gentleman that it could result in an undesirable situation developing, but I do not think that I ought to seek to place an impediment when the Chair allows the Question to be put.