§ 31. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the prima facie evidence submitted to him of the self-confession of Mr. Beverley Nichols that on three occasions he attempted to murder his father, he will initiate proceedings against Mr. Beverley Nichols for this admitted offence.
§ Mr. LewisI knew what the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Answer was before he read it. Can he give any good reason why someone who happens to be a well-known figure and rather well off appears to be able to get away with offences, whereas the ordinary working-class woman who is seen to steal a bottle of milk, or who confesses to it, is sentenced to imprisonment without question? Surely in a case like this some action could be taken, if only to deter others?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe hon. Gentleman referred me to what he said was evidence. The evidence that I received from him was a newspaper article—
§ The Attorney-GeneralI do not think that it is in the public interest that I should ask the police and the Director to consider whether, 57 years ago, a certain gentleman put aspirins in his father's broth or even whether, 42 years ago, the same gentleman launched a garden roller at his father with intent to kill.