HC Deb 02 April 1979 vol 965 cc931-2
43. Mr. Cryer

asked the Attorney-General when he expects next to meet the Director of Public Prosecutions.

42. Mr. Skinner

asked the Attorney-General when he expects next to meet the Director of Public Prosecutions.

45. Mr. Canavan

asked the Attorney-General when he expects next to meet the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Attorney-General (Mr. S. C. Silkin)

I have no immediate expectation, but plans are liable to alteration at short notice.

Mr. Cryer

Will my right hon. and learned Friend accept the simple proposition that the Director of Public Prosecutions is a very important public office, and that he is the only person who is publicly accountable for his actions here in the House of Commons?

The Attorney-General

By "he" I take it that my hon. Friend means the Attorney-General.

Mr. Cryer

I do—and not a thousand miles from where my right hon. and learned Friend is standing.

The Attorney-General

I am grateful for that elucidation. I certainly have general responsibility, by virtue of the Act of 1879, for the superintendence of the Director's work.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman, in his capacity as Attorney-General for Northern Ireland, be in a position in this Parliament to report to the House on the effect of the new arraignment procedure in Northern Ireland on the length of remands without trial?

The Attorney-General

I do not think I could do that at short notice. The length of time before trial and the length of trial are constantly under review both by, at present, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who has some responsibility here, and by myself, so far as the prosecution is concerned. In due course the responsibility of the Secretary of State will pass to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.

Mr. Christopher Price

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is great suspicion on the Labour Benches that the Consents to Prosecutions Bill, which is supposed to be being rushed through the House this afternoon before it goes to the House of Lords later this week, will remove the whole prosecution process in this country from accountability to the House of Commons? Is he aware that there is great feeling on this matter? Would it not be better to withdraw the Bill and have another go when we have won the general election after Easter?

The Attorney-General

No, Sir. I have not detected any such great feeling. If there exists any such feeling, it is based upon total misconception, which may be the result of hon. Members reading what my hon. Friend said in Committee the other day.