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Attorney-General's Fiat

Volume 927: debated on Monday 7 March 1977

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asked the Attorney-General how many applications have been made to him in each of the last 10 years for his fiat; in respect of what proceedings such applications were made; and in how many and what percentage of such cases in each such category he granted and withheld his consent, respectively.

My fiat is necessary before proceedings under a large number of provisions can be brought. The information requested is readily available only in respect of some of them. It is as follows:

The Prevention of Corruption Acts, 1889 to 1916
Applications (1970–76)955
Consent granted808 (85 per cent.)
Consent refused147 (15 per cent.)
The Official Secrets Acts, 1911 to 1939
Applications (1965–76)93
Consent granted34 (37 per cent.)
Consent refused59 (63 per cent.)
Race Relations Act 1965
Applications (1965–76)260
Consent granted20 (8 per cent.)
Consent refused240 (92 per cent.)
The Explosive Substances Act 1883
Applications (1970–76)325
Consent granted293 (90 per cent.)
Consent refused32 (10 per cent.)