§ 47. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is in tended that the sittings of the committee appointed to inquire into industrial assurance shall be held in private or whether the public and the Press will be admitted?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)I am informed that the committee at its first meeting on 30th April decided to hold its sittings in private. The evidence will be published as soon as practicable after it has been given.
§ Sir B. PETOIn view of the great importance of the evidence, particularly to great masses of the working-class people of this country, cannot the hon. Gentleman bring some influence to bear upon the committee to allow the Press access to these proceedings so that the proceedings may be known to the public?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI think that the second part of my answer deals with that point. The evidence will be published as soon as practicable after it has been given.