§ 33. Mr. Canavanasked the Lord Advocate, further to his reply of 20th February, whether he will now prosecute the South African Immigration Organisation (Pty) Limited of 104 West George Street, Glasgow, in the light of evidence now supplied to him.
§ The Lord Advocate (Mr. Ronald King Murray)The information supplied to me in connection with this matter was insufficient to enable a decision to be taken. I have instructed that further inquiries be made.
§ Mr. CanavanWill my right hon. and learned Friend continue to pursue this matter in view of the fact that on the evidence submitted to him, including a letter from the Department of Employment, it is quite clear that the company was not registered as an employment agency under the Employment Agencies Act 1973? Does he agree that it is clear 438 that the firm is collaborating to support apartheid and is misleading many people into emigrating to South Africa by painting that land as a place flowing with milk and honey, whereas in reality it is ruled by one of the most immoral and unscrupulous Governments in the world?
§ The Lord AdvocateMy hon. Friend has painted a black picture of South Africa. I hope that you will forgive me for that, Mr. Speaker. We are concerned, as my hon. Friend has recognised, with a statutory provision that can attract a penalty for non-compliance. That is the primary issue. The only issue before me is whether the provision has application to the firm in question.