§ 27. Mr. CAMPIONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the evidence given by Detective-Sergeant Ashley in a case in which Sidney Butler, a chauffeur employed by the First Lord of the Admiralty, was convicted for exceeding the speed limit in St. James's Park on 30th March, to the effect that the First Lord of the Admiralty requested him to see the park authorities with a view to suppressing the case, on the ground that a Cabinet Minister would naturally not wish to come before a Court; and whether, seeing that the attempt to procure a person to condone an offence is an infraction of the law, he will say what steps, if any, he proposes to take with a view to deter similar attempts to prevent justice?
§ 28. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a conviction at Bow Street Police Court, on the 23rd instant, of one S. W. Butler, and to the action of the First Lord of the Admiralty, his employer, in attempting to prevent an essential witness from giving evidence; and whether he proposes to refer the matter to the Public Prosecutor?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have read two newspaper reports of this case in the "Times" and the "Daily Telegraph," and I am unable to reconcile the allegations contained in either of the questions with these reports. There is no ground for any action on my part.
§ Sir F. BANBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if he finds that the First Lord of the Admiralty has been endeavouring to prevent an official from doing his duty, he will take the steps he would take in an ordinary case?
§ Mr. McKENNAI would take the same steps as I should take if I found the hon. Baronet had done so.