§ MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch Hoxton)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now give the terms of reference to and the names of the persons who will constitute the Committee to inquire into the organisation of the office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
§ COLONEL SEELYI quite hope within a few days to be in a position to announce the names of all the gentlemen who will serve on the Committee, and I will at the same time give the terms of reference.
§ Mr. CLAUDE HAYWhen can the hon. Gentleman let me know?
§ COLONEL SEELYIn about a week's time.
§ MR. AUSTIN TAYLOR (Liverpool, East Toxteth)May I ask if in settling the terms of reference care will be taken to enable evidence to be obtained from the governors of Crown Colonies?
§ COLONEL SEELYI will consult the Secretary of State on that point.
§ COLONEL SEELYI will bear that in mind too. Perhaps the hon. Member will wait and see the terms of reference, and then he can make any suggestion.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYBut after the terms have been announced, will the hon. Gentleman be in a position to accept any amendment?
§ COLONEL SEELYIf the hon. Member will put clown a Question I may be able to indicate what the terms are likely to be, and that may assist him.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYWhat I am anxious for is that the terms of reference when they are announced shall not be treated as finally settled, and that we may have an opportunity of making alterations. Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to that effect?
§ COLONEL SEELYI cannot do that. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman should put down a Question.