§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Attorney-General if charges were reinstituted after being thrown out in magistrates' courts in the case of Regina v. Pottinger concluded at the Central Criminal Court in October 1975; what were the charges on which defendants were acquitted; and what was the cost to public funds of the case.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe case of Regina v. Pottinger concluded in May 1975. I regret that, in a letter sent to the right hon. Member in February 1976, following my undertaking—[Official Report, 9th February 1976; c. 9.]—the date was erroneously given as October 1975.
No charges were reinstated after being dismissed by the magistrates. Mr. Pottinger pleaded guilty on all counts. His co-accused, Mr. Wallburn, pleaded guilty on several counts and his pleas of Not Guilty were accepted and he was accordingly acquitted of uttering forged documents.
The cost to public funds of the case could not be ascertained without disproportionate expense.