§ 3.52 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HAILSHAM OF SAINT MARYLEBONE)My Lords, it might be for the convenience of the House if I now repeated a Statement which I understand my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has made in another place on matters arising out of the public examination in bankruptcy of Mr. John Poulson. The Statement is as follows:
"My right honourable and learned friends the Attorney General and the Lord Advocate, in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions, are considering the evidence given at the public examination and are awaiting the preliminary report of the Official Receiver, which is expected early next week."
The Prime Minister's Statement continues: "I will make a further Statement next week."
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, we are grateful to the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor. This is clearly an interim Statement and my own feeling on this matter is that it would be very unwise for any of us to speculate at this stage. It is not possible usefully to do so. Ultimately Parliament will clearly be concerned with the outcome of any considerations by anyone, but for the moment I certainly would not want to ask anything.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I am very much obliged to the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition, and I can only endorse what he has said.