§ 39. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked Mr. Attorney-General whether he will now make a statement on how much public money was expended on the various investigations and legal charges in connection with the trial of John Bloom; why it took so long; and what were the reasons for the total costs.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe proceedings before the examining Justice which resulted in Mr. Bloom's committal for trial involved five other men, one of whom was discharged; the trial of the other four is pending. It is not possible to determine how much of the expenditure on investigations and legal costs relates to the case of Mr. Bloom. I understand that the total cost of the Board or Trade investigation was some £66,230.
759 Prosecution costs in the committal proceedings were £24,500. Figures for the costs of the prosecution at the Old Bailey are not yet available. The time taken over this case and its expense both reflect the complexity of the transactions concerned.
§ Mr. LewisIs it not deplorable that such long periods elapse before the legal profession seems to get cracking on anything, following which we have estimates in the Press of costs in the region of £1 million? Cannot the legal profession be put on a productive bonus effort? Industrial workers would soon get their pants kicked if they took five years to get moving.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI think that my hon. Friend under-estimates the complexity of the transactions involved in this case.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes it not seem that some form of crime does pay? Lawyers, in particular, seem to do very well out of it.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that crime certainly should never pay.