§ 2.5 p.m.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will request the Public Prosecutor to consider whether a charge can be preferred against the organisers of the demonstration in Whitehall on Saturday, April 29, on the ground of incitement to break the law.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (EARL BATHURST)My Lords, this matter has already been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In his opinion, the public interest does not require the institution of proceedings.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether, if the law is not sufficiently strong to deal with a matter of this kind, consideration would be given to strengthening it, especially in view of the fact that on this particular occasion the persons organising the demonstration appear, from their public utterances and actions, to be persons of somewhat unstable mentality, and of the great danger of this demonstration being followed by further demonstrations by other persons of similar mentality?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I am quite certain that we can rely upon the Director of Public Prosecutions to see that the law takes its course.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, that was not my point. What I asked my noble friend was whether he would consider an alteration in the law which would make 224 it easier for the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute in cases of this kind?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I do not think there can be any question of that. I am sure the noble Earl will appreciate why.