Director of Public Prosecutions (Hansard, 6 February 1984)

§ 59. Mr. Janner
asked the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what subjects were discussed.

§ The Attorney-General (Sir Michael Havers)
Last Friday we discussed the hon. and learned Gentleman's question.

§ Mr. Janner
May I congratulate the Attorney-General on his prophetic powers and ask whether he discussed with the Director of Public Prosecutions the invoking of the criminal law against employees of GCHQ who may refuse to give up their union rights and accept the £1,000 bribe? Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman considered what the Government will do about prosecutions that might arise, for example, if those employees refuse to accept injunctions or to comply with orders to leave the premises?

§ The Attorney-General
That was not discussed. The matter will have to be considered if it arises.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
Will my right hon. and learned Friend draw the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the increasing unhappiness about his refusal to take cases to court under the Obscene Publications Act when those cases seem open and shut to ordinary people? At the next opportunity, will my right hon. and learned Friend convey to the DPP our unhappiness about the fact that it would seem that the inadequacy of the Act is being disguised by his inability or unwillingness to act?

§ The Attorney-General
That question is not quite fair to the DPP. He has initiated several prosecutions of films, magazines, and so on, and also of a number of video cassettes. Both he and I keep that matter under constant review.