§ 25. Mr. Boothasked the Attorney-General whether he will institute proceedings against the House of Seagram Limited for the offer made to Mr. B. G. Williams, to make French francs available in France against a sterling payment in the United Kingdom, in contravention of the Exchange Control Act, 1947.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Peter Rawlinson)No, Sir; there are no grounds for proceedings.
§ Mr. BoothHave any investigations been made to ascertain whether offers similar to that made to my constituent in this case have been made to other individuals? If so, have any steps been taken to prevent this practice, which is obviously an inducement to engage in a breach of the Exchange Control Regulations?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have no knowledge of any similar offers. I might point out to the hon. Gentleman that mere intention does not in itself constitute an offence. The arrangements here were made by persons who have accepted that they should not have made such an offer, and they did it in error. In the circumstances, there really are no grounds on which to proceed.