§ 55. Mr. Huntasked the Attorney General whether he will seek to obtain from the Attorney-General of the State of New York his report on the Children of God in order to consider its relevance to his policies in relation to the activities of this cult within Great Britain.
§ The Attorney-General (Mr. S. C. Silkin)My responsibility is limited to the prosecution of offences. If the hon. Member has evidence of offences committed in this country by followers of this cult. I shall refer that evidence to 24 the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration.
§ Mr. HuntAs the American report provides detailed and documented evidence of rape, brainwashing and kidnapping by the Children of God in the United States, does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that there is at least a strong case for an inquiry into the activities of this group within the United Kingdom, so that young people and parents may be alerted to the methods and teachings of this sinister sect? Will he lend his support to the call for such an inquiry?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have seen the report in the newspapers about the activities of this organisation in the United States, and no doubt it will have been noted. But it is not my responsibility to order an inquiry. That is a matter which the hon. Gentleman will have to take up with the Minister concerned.