§ Mr. MILLSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the protest made by the Portsmouth Trades and Labour Council against the hearing in camera of a sedition charge recently made in that town; and whether, in view of the undesirability of the hearing of charges for political offences in secret, he will consider whether this practice can be discontinued?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe hon. Member no doubt refers to the case of John Hedley, alias O'Hagan, alias Osborne, to which my attention has been drawn. It is not the practice in this country to hear cases in camera, and I should be sorry to see such a practice grow up, but it is occasionally necessary in the public interest that a case should be heard in camera. I am satisfied from what the Director of. Public Prosecutions has reported to me that owing to certain special circumstances this was a case of that kind.