§ MR. NORWOODasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Treasury have appointed a Committee to inquire into the proceedings of the Treasury and the Post Office, as suggested 523 by the Committee of Public Accounts; and, if so, whether he will give the names and the position of the gentlemen who are to serve on the Committee?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe Treasury, Sir, have not appointed a Committee in the meaning of a body of independent judicial authority. What they have done is this. In compliance with the wishes of the Committee of Public Accounts they have commenced an inquiry into the circumstances in question. That inquiry is conducted by the agency of gentlemen in the Treasury Department, and when the facts are all collected it will be for my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury and myself, who are responsible to Parliament, to take such steps as our sense of duty may dictate. To mention the names of the persons employed in the inquiry would be quite contrary to official rule, and would be to expose them to responsibilties to which they ought not to be subjected. We, the heads of the Department, are responsible for what shall be done.