HC Deb 15 November 1928 vol 222 cc1088-90
80. Miss LAWRENCE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the importance of the evidence given before the Meston Committee and of the fact that no Report was issued by that body, he will arrange that the evidence and minutes shall be placed in the Library so as to be accessible to Members?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Houghton-le-Spring Division (Mr. B. Richardson) on the 27th June last.

Miss LAWRENCE

My recollection of that answer is that the President very properly refused to publish. What I am asking is that the typewritten documents that exist should be placed in the Library.

Mr. CHURCHILL

And the answer that I have given fully covers that point; but I referred to the answer given on 27th June, which was: I understand that the Committee proceeded on the assumption that notes of the evidence taken would not be published. The notes, therefore, are not in a form suitable for publication."—[OFFICIAL REP0RT 27th June, 1928; col. 526, Vol. 219.]

Miss LAWRENCE

I am very reluctant to press the Minister. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury repeatedly in the House expressed his great regret that nothing had been published. Cannot a selection be made of the evidence, giving us only the evidence of Government Departments and local authorities, without the cross-examination?

Mr. E. BROWN

In view of the fact that evidence was given before that Committee on behalf of certain Scottish burghs telling very heavily against the system of block grants, and in view of the importance of the issue, ought not such a selection to be made for the benefit of Members in order that they may make up their minds?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I had not studied it and so I do not know.

Mr. MACLEAN

As public money has been expended upon this Committee, have not the Members of this House the right to examine any evidence that may have been submitted to the Committee, and if the right hon. Gentleman is not going to provide copies for the Library, cannot hon. Members visit his office or the appropriate office?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The House, of course, has absolute power to do what it chooses by a majority, but I think the House will always do well to consider the importance of preserving the full efficiency of Committees of this kind. That efficiency certainly would be impaired if evidence which was given or statements which were made in the course of proceedings and were believed to be not for publication, were subsequently made public for future examination. Personally, I have no view in the matter. I think it is a question of procedure.