§ 33. Mr. Peter Archerasked the Attorney-General whether he will arrange a ceremony on 23rd June to commemorate the bicentenary of the judgment of Lord Mansfield in Somerset's case.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is not the practice to arrange official ceremonies to commemorate famous judgments.
§ Mr. ArcherWould the Attorney-General at least seize the opportunity to explain to the House that this was the case which stated that the English law does not recognise slavery? Is it not worth making an exception for the declaration which established that those present in this country under the protection of the common law are free and first-class citizens—or would the Attorney-General's ministerial colleagues dealing with immigration and industrial relations be reluctant to be reminded of this?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI did not refer to the particular subject matter of this famous judgment as I thought it more appropriate for the hon. and learned Gentleman who asked the Question to refer to it in his supplementary question. Of course, this is one of the most famous judgments that has ever been given by an English judge in an English court. I certainly appreciate its lasting value and importance.