§ 48. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the meetings of the Southborough Committee on Disinterested Management are being held in private; and whether, having regard to the public interest in this question, he will consider the desirability of making the suggestion to the Committee that future sittings should be held in public?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Whether the meetings of a Committee shall be held in public or in private is a matter for the Committee itself to decide, and the Committee to which the hon. Member refers decided that their meetings should be held in private.
§ Mr. BAKERDoes it mean that the evidence presented to the Committee will not be available to the public when the Report appears?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, it does not necessarily mean that. The evidence will be submitted to me, and when the Report is published I shall consider whether it is desirable to publish the evidence.