HC Deb 03 December 1930 vol 245 c2209
27. Mr. JAMES STUART

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to grant facilities for the public inquiry to be held which was asked for on lath October, 1930, by the North Charterland Exploration Company; and whether tie will undertake to hold the inquiry in this country and not in Northern Rhodesia, in view of the fact that it involves charges against a Department of State in this country, and that the agreement in question between the Colonial Office and the British South Africa Company was entered into in London?

Dr. SHIELS

The request, which involves legal and other considerations of great difficulty, is still under consideration. An inquiry, if held, would certainly be in London.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Does that mean that the hon. Member is still considering the question of having an inquiry into this matter?

Dr. SHIELS

Yes, Sir.