HC Deb 23 April 1959 vol 604 cc590-1
45. Mr. Grimond

asked the Prime Minister if he has now considered further the extent to which existing procedures are satisfactory for investigating such matters as the Waters case; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

The Government are keeping this matter in mind; but I am not at present in a position to add to the answer I gave on my right hon. Friends' behalf to the hon. Gentleman on 26th February.

Mr. Grimond

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread anxiety about the procedure of these tribunals and that it appears that the use of this procedure for matters such as the Waters case is not what was envisaged when the procedure was set up and is liable to very considerable criticism?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. Various members of the Government have already expressed interest in the possibility of some amendment in the Act of 1921 in the light of experience, but I do not think that we are satisfied yet, on the material before us, about the nature of what the step might be.

Sir J. Duncan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us and, I think, many of the people of Scotland completely support the action of the Government in setting up the tribunal but wish them to review the question of whether it is really worth spending £8,000 of the taxpayer's money to deal with an incident which proved to be trivial?

Mr. Butler

That is taking the matter from the general to the particular. I am grateful for my hon. Friend's support but, keeping to the question of the form of machinery to be used on this or somewhat similar occasions, I think that we want a little more expression of opinion before we can act.