§ 33. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he received under date of the 16th March, 1927, a communication from the juge d'instruction at Boulogne, who is investigating the murder of Nurse May Daniels, a questionnaire which included 16 questions which he desired authorities at Scotland Yard to reply to; whether these inquiries have been completed by the Department under his control; and whether the questionnaire has been returned to the French authorities at Boulogne?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I received a commission rogatoire in April last. The evidence has been taken by the magistrates and the commission rogatoire, together with the evidence, has been returned through the usual channel.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when this commission was returned?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe commission has been returned.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when it was returned, and is he aware that I received a letter only last week from the solicitor in charge, who says that the juge d'instruction has received no reply whatever?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Gentleman must be aware that I do not tamper with his private correspondence.
§ Colonel DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether a reply has been sent to the juge d'instruction, as he still states he has received no communication in reply.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI can only repeat that the commission, together with the evidence, has been returned through the usual channel. If the hon. Member will send his letter, with details, of course, I will make further inquiries.
§ Mr. THURTLEWill not the Home Secretary say when this reply was sent to the juge d'instruction?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONCan my right hon. Friend inform the House how 672 it is that an hon. Member of this House is kept informed of the correspondence of a juge d'instruction?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is a matter for the hon. Member himself. I cannot say. A question was not asked as to the date. If the question had asked for the date, an answer would have been provided. If a question is put down as to the date, I will answer it.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letter I received was from Maitre Sergeant, l'avocat, who informs me in his letter that he saw the juge d'instruction last week and the juge d'instruction stated that he had received no reply to his questionnaires dated 22nd March or 14th April.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs I have told the hon. Member, I have no cognisance at all of his private correspondence. I cannot be expected to know whether a man or a woman writes to him.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether a reply to this commission, which was sent to him on 22nd March, has been received since 1st June of this year?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Member wants the date. He must put a question down and I will let him have the actual date.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDo I understand that the Post Office never open anyone's letters?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think the hon. Member will understand from my answer exactly what I said.