HC Deb 23 February 1933 vol 274 cc1904-5
65. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the conviction, under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act, 1889, registered this week against a Glasgow magistrate; and whether in view of representations made to him by a majority of the town council in 1930, requesting a judicial inquiry, under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, he will now take steps to ascertain from the competent investigating officials in Glasgow dealing with offences of this nature the desirability of now promoting such an inquiry?

Mr. SKELTON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. So far as the allegations in 1930 are concerned, these were fully investigated on the information then available to the criminal authorities. No grounds for criminal proceedings were disclosed, and it was decided that the allegations were not such as to warrant the setting up of a tribunal of inquiry under the Act of 1921. In view, however, of the recent conviction my right hon. Friend has the matter under consideration.

Mr. LEONARD

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the strong opinion that is held in Glasgow that the previous refusal to set up an inquiry has been inclined to encourage those who are criminally inclined, and will he also undertake to pay special attention to the unanimous newspaper comments on the significance of the prosecuting counsel s reference to other members of the council and to the discussion, the details of which have not been disclosed, and the anxiety that this is causing to members of the council as well as of the community?

Mr. SKELTON

I have nothing to add to the answer I have just given.

Mr. McGOVERN

In the unfortunate absence of the Secretary of State for Scotland, will the hon. Gentleman make representations, before he comes to a definite decision, that an adequate opportunity shall be given for representations to be made by public persons and bodies on this question, and will he ask that the fact that the Labour Government previously decided against an inquiry of this kind should not be allowed to prejudice the matter under consideration?

Mr. SKELTON

I have dealt with the previous inquiry, as the hon. Member will see if he reads my answer. With regard to the present situation, very full consideration will be given to it.