asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Mr. Ian McLean, magistrate of Old Street Court, in the case of Mr. Costa and Mr. Andrews, referring to the defendants as foreign rogues and deploring Parliament's failure to pass certain legislation; and what action he proposes to take.

The Magistrate to whom the hon. Member refers has explained to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor that his use of the words "foreign rogues" relately solely to the two persons on trial before him and were not intended as a reflection on foreigners in general. Magistrates, and others holding judicial office, are entitled if they think fit to draw attention to what they regard as defects in the existing law. My noble Friend has decided that no further action would be appropriate in this case.