§ 38. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he has received theprima facieevidence from the hon. Member for West Ham, North 372 showing that attempts were recently made in a trial at the Old Bailey by officials connected with the judiciary to pervert the course of justice; whether he will cause an investigation to me made; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe hon. Gentleman sent me a newspaper cutting which referred to the proceedings before the Guildhall Magistrates' Court, and quoted from a book written by Mr. Jonathan Aitken. There was no attempt to pervert the course of justice. Counsel for the defence, with their clients' consent, indicated to prosecuting counsel that the defendants would be prepared to plead guilty provided that the magistrates agreed to a summary trial. This is not unusual, particularly in cases where the defence is based on argument about difficult questions of law which might be decided against the defendants at the trial. In the case in question, the magistrates were informed of the position, but in the event the committal proceedings were continued.
§ Mr. LewisIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman unaware of the fact that almost daily there are reports of pressure being brought to bear on the courts not to take action, even when there is overwhelming evidence that crimes have been committed—the most recent case being that involving Oleg Lyalin? Is he aware that in cases involving self-confessed spies we have the political bosses telling the courts not to proceed, whereas people who have given loyal service to the country are prosecuted and have no similar opportunity? Is it not time that this political interference with the courts on the part of the right hon. and learned Gentleman and his Department ceased?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI recognise that the hon. Gentleman is introducing in a supplementary question a matter additional to that with which I was dealing and about which he will receive an answer this afternoon by way of a Written Answer to a Question posed by him.
I would like to take this opportunity to make it categorically clear that there was no political interference and that in that particular matter I spoke to no Minister or received any communication from any Department save that of the 373 Director of Public Prosecutions and the security services.
§ Mr. LewisOn a point of order. In view of the evidence that is available, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this whole question on the Adjournment.