§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a view to proceedings under section 5 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875, as 573W amended in 1919, the activities of those pickets who have withdrawn their labour at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham, in as much as they have broken their contracts of service while knowing that the consequences could be dangerous to human life.
§ Mr. EnnalsProsecution under the Act would be a matter for the local law enforcement authorities and would not require reference to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I do not know of any prosecution ever having been brought under these provisions. I understand that the incidence of picketing at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham, has now lessened considerably.