§ Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Attorney-General why, in the recent case of Jones and Hulton, the accused were tried together and not separately; and whether he will introduce legislation to amend such conditions.
The Attorney-GeneralIt is often right that persons should be jointly indicted. When persons are so indicted the question whether it is in the interests of justice that they should be tried separately is one within the discretion of the trial judge. Any person so charged can apply to the judge to be tried separately, but in the particular case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers no such application2032W was made on behalf of either of the accused. I do not think there is any need for amending legislation.