HC Deb 29 February 1916 vol 80 cc891-2
94. Sir A. WILLIAMSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Mr. T. Paterson Purdie is a member of the Ship Licensing Committee, Board of Trade; whether he authorised him in that official capacity to thoroughly investigate and report upon the system in force in another Department of the Government, namely, the Transport Department of the Admiralty; and whether the Board of Trade accepts responsibility for the statements in the Report, and especially that all criticism of the Transport Department is uncalled for?

Mr. PRETYMAN

Mr. Purdie is a member of the Ship Licensing Committee. The inquiries he made as to the work of the Transport Department were made in his private capacity.

Sir J. WALTON

Will the hon. Gentleman make further inquiries as to whether the statements made by Mr. Paterson Purdie are not largely without foundation?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Is it the habit to give facilities to private persons to report on Government Departments?

Mr. PRINGLE

Is the gentleman referred to the owner of a numerous fleet of three tramp steamers with an aggregate tonnage of 10,000 tons?

Mr. PRETYMAN

I believe he is the president of a large shipowners' federation at Glasgow, and in that capacity and on behalf of the shipping trade he made this inquiry.

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Is it the habit of the Government to allow private individuals to make investigations and reports on Government Departments?

Mr. PRETYMAN

That depends entirely on the nature of the case. Where it is a matter of public interest and there is no special desire for secrecy, private individuals connected with a particular trade or interest are given such information as will interest the trade in question.

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Will other persons also be allowed to investigate in similar circumstances?

Mr. PRETYMAN

If they have as good a claim to the information it will certainly be given.