§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Silberad was held in public, and that the Judge's report and the signed depositions of the native witnesses are now in private hands in this country, he will lay upon the Table of the House the official report of the Judge, together with the Judge's transcript of the evidence.
§ COLONEL SEELYThe Secretary of State does not consider that it would be in the public interest that Papers should be laid on this subject. The fact that the inquiry was held in public as stated in the Question removes an undesirable 2126 element of secrecy, and it would appear undesirable to give wide dissemination to the details of the case.
§ MR. WEDGWOODDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that this policy of hushing up is likely to cause damage-to British prestige by creating the idea that this serious crime is common among. British officials?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat is a matter of opinion on which every man can form his own conclusion.