§ 87. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if any public expense has been incurred in connection with the retention of his seat in this House by Sir Stuart Samuel; and will he say at whose instance, how much, and to whom paid?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Rufus Isaacs)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. About £150 was expended on shorthand writing and printing for the Select Committee. In connection with the proceedings before the Privy Council, expenditure of £740 was incurred on the authority of the Treasury. This sum includes fees to counsel (Mr. J. R. Atkin, K.C., and Mr. A. Neilson), and the cost of the shorthand writing, printing, etc. The right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities, who argued the case before the Privy Council at my request, has refused to accept any fees on the ground that he appeared in a sense for the House of Commons, and was performing a public duty. The Prime Minister has already expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by the right hon. and learned Gentleman, and I have also thanked him. I am glad of this opportunity of informing the House of Commons of the action taken by the right hon. and learned Gentleman in this matter.
§ Mr. GINNELLWas it on the advice and with the concurrence of the Law Officers that Sir Stuart Samuel followed the course he did?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.