§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Prime Minister whether, with the object of obtaining in the public interest, and with a view to the amendment of administrative methods, absolutely impartial Reports from Departmental Committees, founded only upon the evidence taken before them, the Government will consider the advisability of permitting officials and scientific advisers of the department whose 690 methods of administration are under review to appear as witnesses or act as assessors instead of, as now, appointing them members of such committees and signatories of their reports?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I fear that the exclusion of Departmental officials from all Committees dealing with the business of their respective Departments would not produce satisfactory results; and I see no reason for dissatisfaction with the existing practice in this respect.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the right hon. Gentleman set any high value upon the report of a tribunal the most active members of which are in the position both of judges and defendants?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not understand that that represents the situation at all.