§ 35. Mr. GROVESasked the Attorney-General when the report of the inspector appointed by the Board of Trade to inquire into the affairs of the St. Mary's Shipping Company, Cardiff, was made available for inspection by the National Provincial Bank, and why such facilities were provided; and whether conditions were imposed to prevent the disclosure of its contents?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)I have no information that the inspector's report was ever made available for inspection by the National Provincial Bank, but I am in a position to say that no such inspection was given from official sources. In these circumstances, the last part of the question does not arise.
§ Mr. GROVESIf I can give the right hon. and learned Gentleman evidence that this report was made available, will facilities be given to other interested persons to see it?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALNo, the question was as to whether the report was made available for inspection, by which I understood the hon. Gentleman to mean, made available by official Departments?
§ Mr. GROVESIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the report is available for inspection, whether officially or otherwise?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI am not aware of that. Two copies were furnished to the company in pursuance of one of the Sections of the Companies Act, but what was done with the copies is no concern of mine.
§ Mr. GROVESIs it not unfair that the report should only be available to certain people, and is it not right that other interested parties should be able to inspect it?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALParliament has provided that copies shall be supplied to the company concerned, and one extra copy, at the company's request. That has been done, and that is the end of my duty in the matter.