§ 49. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether there is any precedent for His Majesty's Government making investigations, upon the results of which legislation is to be based, by any other means than an open, impartial, public, and fair inquiry?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)If, as I presume, the Noble Lord refers to the unofficial body as to which he has made previous inquiries, the answers which I have already given show that in our view the suggestions made in the question do not accurately represent the relation of the Government to the Committee and its findings.
§ Viscount WOLMERWhy are the Government afraid of having an open, impartial inquiry into the land system?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government are not afraid.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that in the eyes of the Government the findings of this inquiry will have no value?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, certainly not. The Government leave themselves free to adopt or modify them as they like.
§ Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONWho bears the cost?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot one penny comes out of public funds.