§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement concerning the recent prosecution, trial and acquittal of members of the British Withdrawal from Northern Ireland Campaign.
§ The Attorney-GeneralOn the advice of Treasury Counsel proceedings were brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions against fourteen people on a charge of conspiracy to contravene Section 1 of the Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 and on substantive charges of contravening Section 2(1) of that Act. Two of the accused were also charged on counts of contravening Section 192 of the Army Act 1955. Pleas of guilty were accepted to the Army Act charges and fines of £50 were imposed on each count.
The jury, which I am told was the subject of 77 challenges by the defence, acquitted the accused in respect of all charges under the Incitement to Disaffection Act.
The Law Commission is considering the Act as part of its review of the law of treason and kindred offences. I am 327W assisting the Law Commission in its deliberations by providing information about the operation of the Act since its commencement.