HC Deb 15 January 1979 vol 960 cc1314-6
29. Mr. Canavan

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

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Law Officers' Department (Mr. Arthur Davidson)

Shortly.

Mr. Canavan

Will my hon. and learned Friend ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to make a statement as early as possible about prosecutions arising from the Bingham report, as there is a great deal of public concern that this affair is being swept under the carpet, especially after the Prime Minister's announcement just before Christmas that the commission of inquiry is to sit in private and will not publish its evidence?

Mr. Davidson

This matter is being considered as a matter of urgency by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that many of the problems which appear to arise from some of the duties of the DPP might be solved if it were found possible for him to explain, mainly to his hon. Friends, exactly what the DPP's duties are and what, in many cases, they are not?

Mr. Davidson

I should be very happy to explain that if I had the time to do so. However, I do not think that this occasion is the appropriate time or that it would be very welcome to the House.

30. Mr. Cryer

asked the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Attorney-General

Recently.

Mr. Cryer

As the Minister who answers jointly for the actions of the DPP, can my right hon. and learned Friend provide me with information to answer those critics who ask why people in large wealthy corporations, such as "Tiny" Rowland of Lonrho, who was the subject, along with others, of an expensive Department of Trade report indicating serious breaches of the Companies Act, were never prosecuted following the report, yet he chose to prosecute a couple of ordinary journalists working for a small-circulation magazine? I am sure that the House will be interested in the explanation for that juxtaposition.

The Attorney-General

I have already dealt with the second part of my hon. Friend's question. On the first part of the question, there was, as he says, a careful investigation by inspectors appointed by the Board of Trade, which was followed by an equally careful investigation by the Director in conjunction with myself and my Department. It was only after extremely careful thought and consideration that we concluded that the evidence did not justify charges against any persons in connection with the Lonrho matter.

Mr. Emery

Since the DPP might be involved, will the Attorney-General tell us the exact legal position concerning secondary picketing, which is so adversely affecting the economy at the moment?

The Attorney-General

It would be impossible for me to do that in half a minute, even if it arose from the original Question, which it does not.