HC Deb 17 January 1983 vol 35 c18
26. Mr. Canavan

asked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions he has conducted personally since May 1979.

The Attorney-General

Six. I am also expecting to conduct the prosecution in a seventh case tomorrow.

Mr. Canavan

Because of the reluctance of the DPP to prosecute policemen, will the Attorney-General himself prosecute those responsible for the incident last Friday when the police gunned down an innocent man in the street? If Sir Kenneth Newman is responsible for the regulations governing the use of firearms by members of his force, should not he be one of the policemen in the dock?

The Attorney-General

The papers relating to that case are being sent to the DPP tomorrow morning, as a preliminary report. He will consider them, and if he has any difficulty he will no doubt consult me.

Mr. Aitken

At the risk of causing my right hon. and learned Friend to blush, may I ask whether he is aware that those who heard his devastatingly effective cross-examination of the spy Professor Hambleton hope that he will prosecute in many important national cases,?

The Attorney-General

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. However, I cannot claim credit in many cases as the defendants pleaded guilty.