§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Attorney-General how many suspected cases of breaches of sanctions involving the supply of oil or any oil-based products to Rhodesia by British companies either directly, by swaps or through subsidising companies have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions since sanctions were introduced; and if he will list the companies involved, the dates referred to the Director of Public Prosecution and the outcome in each case.
The Attorney-GeneralThe Bingham report was referred by the then Foreign Secretary to the Director of Public Prosecutions on 4 September 1978 and the Director has asked for police inquiries to be made. The final decision whether proceedings should be instituted for
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§ The Solicitor-GeneralStatistical information is not collected on the residence of petitioners. The rest of the information asked for is set out in the table below.
breaches of the Rhodesia sanctions orders will be made when investigations have been completed, but the Director of Public Prosecutions has not yet received a report or the advice of counsel upon which any such decision could be reached.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Attorney-General whether the Foreign Office or any other Government Department has firm evidence of any companies, British or foreign, not already referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who are breaching sanctions by the supply of oil or any oil-based products to Rhodesia, either directly or by swaps or through subsidising companies; and, if so, if he will refer the evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to the prosecution of the companies.
The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware of the existence of any such evidence in the possession of other Government Departments which has not already been referred to the Director. It would be for the Departments concerned, were there any, to make the decision to refer it to him.