Director of Public Prosecutions (Hansard, 21 April 1986)

§ 46. Mr. Dalyell
asked the Attorney-General what steps he takes to satisfy himself that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions operates efficiently.

§ The Attorney-General (Sir Michael Havers)
In discharge of my statutory duty of superintendence of the Director of Public Prosecutions I frequently meet the Director and senior members of his staff. I receive frequent reports concerning policy issues and issues concerning the efficient management of his Department.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Does the Attorney-General recollect the serious questions put to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs) and to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, on the worrying case of Mr. Gerry Gable? As Mr. Gable, the editor of Searchlight magazine, was afforded police protection, why has the DPP's office failed to act?

§ The Attorney-General
I understand that the editor of Searchlight was interviewed by police officers in 1984 in response to an approach from him. However, the facts alleged by the editor did not disclose the commission of any criminal offence. If there is any evidence of a criminal offence, the hon. Gentleman should make it available to the police.

§ Mr. Gow
How confident is my right hon. and learned Friend that, if it becomes necessary to prepare any further papers in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions 13 relating to extraditions from the Republic of Ireland of those required to answer criminal charges in Great Britain, those papers will be prepared in a way that is entirely satisfactory to the authorities in the Republic?

§ The Attorney-General
As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in his statement, all those documents will now be personally supervised by the Director. In addition, my officials and the officials of the Attorney-General of the Republic have been meeting and are drawing up what is known as a check list—rather like a pilot's check list—which will be used whenever warrants are sought from the Republic.

§ Mr. Nicholas Brown
In view of the serious nature of the bizarre but detailed allegations contained in the April edition of Searchlight, will the Attorney-General make a statement to the House at an appropriate moment? Specifically, will the statement deal with the alleged involvement of an officer of the armed forces and an hon. Member in a plot to intimidate Mr. Gable—or worse?

§ The Attorney-General
I have not seen the April issue of Searchlight. I shall certainly look at it, and I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.