HC Deb 07 December 1981 vol 14 cc578-9
48. Mr. Canavan

asked the Attorney-General how many injunctions have been granted to stop the publication of the names of people alleged to have been involved in traitorous activities since 1945.

The Solicitor-General

I regret that the information is not available.

Mr. Canavan

In the light of the revelations in The Sunday Times about the cases of Messrs. Blunt, Long and Scott—none of whom was prosecuted for his traitorous activities—and in view of the case of Mr. Dolivet who last month obtained an injunction to prevent The Sunday Times from publishing more names, is it any wonder that many people suspect that the legal establishment is involved in a massive cover-up that should be the subject of a full public inquiry?

The Solicitor-General

That suggestion is as monstrous as it is absurd. The injuction process is available to all citizens. It is an entirely independent process. If either the Government or lawyers tried to interfere with it, they would have their fingers severely burnt. I suspect that any right hon. or hon. Member, including the hon. Gentleman, if it were about to be said without foundation that he or she was a Soviet agent, would be glad to have the independent protection of the courts.

Mr. Lawrence

Will my hon. and learned Friend take this opportunity to make it clear to the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) and others that under English criminal law no one can be prosecuted for an offence where the only evidence is a confession that is not voluntary?

The Solicitor-General

I had hoped that that point was already clear. If it is not, I am happy to endorse it. The injunction process, of which Mr. Dolivet availed himself, is an independent process available to all citizens, and we should be glad that that is so.

Mr. Stokes

Why are Opposition Members so obsessed with the past? Is not the main criterion now to ensure that we have no traitors within our midst?

The Solicitor-General

The answer to the first question may be that some feel that they have no future. I have no further comment to make on the second point.