HL Deb 12 February 1976 vol 368 cc190-2
Viscount BROOKEBOROUGH

My 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 whether they have studied the statements made in Londonderry on Sunday, 1st February, by Mr. Kevin Agnew and Mrs. M. Drumm.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE (Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are aware of the statements, but the question of prosecution, which is no doubt what the noble Lord has in mind, is a matter for the chief constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. As my learned friend the Attorney General said in a Written Answer in another place on 9th February, the chief constable's investigations are not yet completed; when they are, he will report the evidence to the Director, who will consider whether there should be prosecutions and, if so, for what offences.

Viscount BROOKEBOROUGH

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, which must give him as much misgiving as it does me—the fact that a prosecution has not already been started—may I ask whether the Government are aware that many millions of people in this country on television heard Mr. Agnew, in referring to the Britishers, say: Let it go from here that they have seen nothing yet compared with what they will get in the not too distant future."? Are the Government aware that the failure at this moment for a prosecution to be established is further proof to the people of this country that they are gutless and ambivalent in the establishment of law and order in that part of the United Kingdom which is Northern Ireland?

Lord DONALDSON of KINGS-BRIDGE

My Lords, the epithets applied seem rather inappropriate but, leaving that on one side, I do not think the noble Viscount really can press that the Government should interfere with the basic rule of law, which is that the evidence has to be provided by the police to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director then has to make up his mind. It is most unjust to suggest that difficulties, of which the noble Viscount and I are not aware, amount to reluctance. I can assure the noble Viscount that if the Director of Public Prosecutions thinks that he has a case which will stand, there will be no reluctance to bring it.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, while not quarrelling with the noble Lord over what he said about the rule of law, may I ask him to take note of the immense patience and restraint of the British people against whom these vile threats of intimidation and murder are placed?

Lord DONALDSON of KINGS-BRIDGE

My Lords, I not only take note but share in it.