§ 20. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General why it is taking so long for a decision to be made in connection with the investigation into matters connected with the practice known as cube-cutting; whether prosecutions are under; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Elwyn Jones)As my hon. Friend is aware, the police investigation into these complicated matters has involved the examination of the circumstances of many hundreds of different transactions and documents involving a large number of companies. Although substantial progress has been made with this investigation, it will be at least three months before the papers can finally be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
§ Mr. LewisI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply, which was more positive than others I have received. Is he aware that, through going on for so long, some of these cases cause difficulty when they eventually reach the courts, such as the John Bloom case, which I had to raise here for years before action was taken?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI appreciate the difficulties which delay causes, but instant prosecution is not desirable.