§ 25. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will give an assurance that every person against whom prima facie evidence exists of contravention of the Official Secrets Act will be prosecuted.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Elwyn Jones)No, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisHow can the Attorney-General answer in such a way when he knows, as does the whole House, that there is an hon. Member of this House who has sent him evidence requesting prosecution—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman knows the sub judice rule. He cannot refer indirectly to any case which is now on trial.
§ Mr. LewisWith the greatest respect, Mr. Speaker, there is no case on at the moment affecting the right hon. Member to whom I am referring. I am referring to the right hon. Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. Hugh Fraser). There is no case so far as he is concerned, so the matter cannot be sub judice. lie has sent evidence to the Attorney-General and has requested prosecution. When he has made such a request why has the Attorney-General not taken action? That case is not sub judice.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThis is one of the matters which has already been referred to in proceedings which are taking place and it is eminently sub judice. At an appropriate moment it will give me great satisfaction to deal with the Questions that I am now prevented by the decencies and rules of the House from answering.