§ 38. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General why there is delay in the conduct of the investigation into the practice known as cube cutting; when he now expects the report will be published; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere is no delay in the conduct of this investigation. Police inquiries have entailed a great deal of research into a large volume of documents, and it is not possible to say at the moment when their inquiries will be completed. Police reports are confidential and it is not the practice to publish them.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Attorney-General aware of the fact that the original complaint was made many weeks ago and that it was then said that a report would be published? May we ask why it has taken so long? Could he have a discussion with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity to try to get some productivity going in the legal department?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware that there was any undertaking to publish this report. It would be quite contrary to practice and propriety to publish a police investigation into alleged criminal offences. But I assure my hon. 977 Friend, whose zeal for the enforcement of the criminal law I can only admire, that investigations are being carried out as quickly as possible.