§ MR. F. E. SMITH (Liverpool, Walton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what 886 grounds he has decided to withhold from the House of Commons Papers which have been before the Edalji Committee and which will be referred to on the Home Office Vote.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe reason for my decision is that all documents and communications, which are received by the Home Office in relation to the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, are strictly confidential; and that it would be contrary to the public interest if they were not so treated.
§ LORD R. CECILMay I ask if the documents submitted to the Edalji Committee are in the same position as Home Office documents relative to the prerogative of mercy?
§ MR. GLADSTONEYes, Sir. All the documents at the Home Office were submitted to the Committee.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI cannot say at present.