§ 28. Mr. McENTEEasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of subsequent developments, he is now prepared to hold a public inquiry into the allegations regarding the action of the police in respect to a recent sweepstake?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)In considering this question, I have had to consider the public interest, and I am satisfied that the questions between the Duke of Atholl and myself concerning conversations which took place more than six months ago are not such as to justify the expenditure of public money and the absorption of valuable time which a public inquiry would involve. The Government, therefore, do not propose to hold an inquiry.
§ Mr. McENTEEIn view of the fact that the Duke of Atholl reiterated his charges against the police, and that the right hon. and learned Gentleman's own Department denies having given any such instructions, will he give an opportunity to the two officers concerned to make some public statement in regard to their own position in the matter?
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House whether he has requested the Duke of Atholl to supply him with the corroborative evidence which he says was in his possession, and which he complained had not been asked for?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI have not asked the Duke of Atholl to supply me with the corroborative evidence, but the Duke raised questions in another place without any communication with me, and I have given this honourable House the answers which I have thought were proper.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs it not a fact that the Duke has stated that he has already supplied that information to the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Department?
§ Mr. TINKERIs the attitude which the right hon. and learned Gentleman is taking up for the purposes of getting the Duke to make a statement in public?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALThe attitude I have taken up is conceived, as I say, in the public interest.