§ 1. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received any Report from the Public Prosecutor regarding the affairs of the St. Mary Steamship Company; and, if so, will he inform the House what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The matter is one for the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has caused some inquiry to he made locally and has received information but not sufficient at present to enable a decision to be arrived at.
§ Mr. JONESAm I to understand that the Department have no powers until the Public Prosecutor is satisfied?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe point is, that the President of the Board of Trade cannot he satisfied until the Public Prosecutor has obtained all the information which is necessary.
§ Mr. JONESThen I understand that he hats not yet completed the inquiry. If I put a question on the Paper three weeks hence will that do?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI will do my best to give an answer.