§ Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (by, Private Notice)asked the Minister of Transport whether the sittings of Lord Colwyn's Committee on railway agreements will be held in public?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Sir Eric Geddes)The Railway Agreements 1537 involve questions affecting hundreds of millions of pounds, and must result eventually in a contest of negotiation or legal arbitrament between the railway companies and the Minister of Transport as regards a large portion of that sum. I feel sure that this House, the public and the Press will not wish a natural desire for publicity to embarrass those entrusted with the conduct of the public case, vis-avis the railway companies. Having regard to the very high standing of the members of the Committee, and to the character of the inquiry, I feel that it must be left to them to decide as to what measure of publicity can be given, consistently with the public interest. Whilst I would welcome the widest information on the subject, that is of insignificant importance compared to the interest of the community.
§ Mr. W. THORNEI understand the Minutes of the proceedings will be taken every day; will, therefore, the right hon. Gentleman take it upon himself to see that every Member of the House gets a copy of these proceedings day by day?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI think we had better leave that to the Committee, that they should give the proceedings such publicity as they think fit.