MR. MAC NEILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will call the attention of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Her Majesty's Exchequer to the charges preferred against Governor Ker, C. M. G., of the Falkland Islands, in regard to the vouchers supporting the charge of £900 in connection with Government House, which are alleged to be fraudulent, with a view to their special examination by Sir Charles Ryan, and a Report obtained from that officer?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS, Liverpool, East Toxteth)I have already informed the hon. Member that I have no knowledge of the circumstances to which he refers, as no charges of this nature have been made to the Secretary of State; but as soon as I receive the evidence which the hon. Member has promised to place in my hands, the matter shall be looked into, and the attention of the Auditor General will be called to it if there appears to be even the slightest suspicion of fraud, though it must be apparent that no fraudulent act would be likely to escape the searching examination of the Audit Office. But, in justice to the Governor, I must protest against these charges being sent privately to the hon. Member, instead of officially to the Secretary of State, who alone can deal with them; and publicity is thus given to them behind the back of the Governor, and before he has had any opportunity of reporting upon them. The House will, I feel sure, under the circumstances, entirely suspend its judgment upon the matter.
MR. MAC NEILLIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these charges are the common talk in the colony, and does he not know that I put a question to him on the subject when the Governor himself was in this country?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSThe Secretary of State fully investigated the charges made at that time, and found that they were without foundation. This is an entirely new charge. Of course, if the hon. Member has further evidence we will look into it.