§ 23. Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Trade if the report of the inspector appointed by the Board of Trade to investigate into the affairs of the St. Mary's Shipping Company, Cardiff, can be made available to the Member for Stratford or any other Member of the House of Commons; if so when can such report be seen and perused; and whether any conditions of secrecy are imposed upon a Member of the House of Commons respecting the affairs of such company?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Hore-Belisha)My right hon. Friend has no authority to make the report available except to the company and to the applicants for the investigation. This has been done, and the second and third parts of the hon. Member's question therefore do not arise.
§ Mr. GROVESIs it the fact that a case of this kind can arise in this country without Members of this House having the right to investigate it? [HON. MEMBERS: "Yes!"] I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary. Are officers of his Department compelled to investigate a case in which certain complaints have been made and are Members of this House not to have facilities to go into the details of such a case?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAEverybody concerned has had a copy of this report and to that extent the statute has been complied with. There is no obligation to furnish copies of the report to those who are not concerned.
§ Mr. GROVESDoes the hon. Gentleman not think that Members of this 22 House are concerned in investigating every affair in this country in which there is any suspicion that wrong things have taken place? I beg to give notice that at the first available opportunity I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.