§ MR. HOWELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, considering the charges of gross corruption in connection with the gas contracts of the Salford Corporation, the fact that its late engineer is now undergoing a long period of imprison- 1030 ment for participation in the frauds which were perpetrated, the charges that are now being made of other acts of corruption, and the accusations against members of that Corporation of complicity in attempting to condone the offences of those who were parties to the frauds, the Government will consent to the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the allegations that have been made, and the mode of contracting carried on by the Gas Committee of that Corporation?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am informed that a Petition of the inhabitants of Salford, praying for the appointment of a Commission to inquire into this matter, is now in course of preparation. Pending its receipt, and a more full and exact statement than I have yet had of the grounds on which the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry is demanded, the Government are not in a position to say what action on their part, if any, may be necessary.