HC Deb 17 April 1913 vol 51 c2121
71. Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any communication setting forth facts connected with the St. David's Mining Development Company, Limited, the Voel Mines, Limited, and the Gwyn Mines, Limited; and whether the Director of Public Prosecutions will investigate these facts and take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown about them?

Mr. McKENNA

After the hon. Member had given notice of this question I received the communication to which apparently he refers. How many of the statements it contains can be described as facts I am unable to say; but I cannot help feeling much doubt as to the bona fides of representations first made ten years after the events to which they refer. I have no jurisdiction in the matter.

Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman defer the criminal prosecution of Mr. Cecil Chesterton until he has thoroughly investigated the facts to which I refer in my question?

Mr. McKENNA

I think it would be obviously to the advantage of the good administration of justice if the hon. Gentleman would defer the question until the prosecution is finished.