§ 69. Mr. Stanbrookasked the Attorney-General if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions not to represent foreign Governments in extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom when the issue involved is one which may ultimately have to be determined on political grounds by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
The Attorney-GeneralA growing number of agreements on extradition between Her Majesty's Government and foreign Governments make provision, on a reciprocal basis, for the Director to represent the foreign Government on an application made to this country. The arrangements normally allow the Director to exercise his discretion whether to act himself for the applicant or pass the papers to others. It is not necessary for me to give any directions to the Director as the policy he pursues is that if he has any doubts about the propriety of his acting he will pass the papers to a private solicitor to act on behalf of the foreign Government.