§ 33. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General why, in view of the evidence available and in possession of Her Majesty's Government, and the self confession of spying made by Mr. Oleg Lyalin, he does not intend to prosecute him for this offence.
§ The Attorney-General:Mr. Oleg Lyalin was an intelligence officer in the K.G.B. He defected to this country from the U.S.S.R. I do not intend to prosecute him for the offence described by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Lewis:But this is the second time that the Attorney-General has refused to give reasons why he will not prosecute. Is it not strange that no action is taken against a self-confessed spy and someone who, as the Attorney-General said, has been responsible for possible loss of life and endangering the country, and yet an innocent man can be, and was, kept in prison for more than three months and was immediately charged on much flimsier evidence, or so-called evidence? On small matters the law is always willing to act, and to act very quickly and viciously, but in cases such as that referred to in the question, not only do the authorities refuse to take action, but they refuse to give reasons for not doing so. Will the Attorney-General now give the reasons for his action?
§ The Attorney-General:I do not accept or recognise that I said what the hon. Gentleman said I said. All I can repeat to the House is that I do not intend to prosecute Mr. Oleg Lyalin for these alleged offences.
§ Mr. Lewis:Why?