§ 46. Mr. DALTONasked the Prime Minister whether Sir Maurice Hankey volunteered to give evidence before the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of Arms or whether he was invited to do so and, if so, by whom?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn view of Sir Maurice Hankey's unique knowledge and experience and of the importance of the matter from the point of view of Imperial Defence, the then Prime Minister, after consultation with myself, approved of Sir Maurice's suggestion that he should be allowed to give evidence if the Royal Commission should so desire.
§ Mr. DALTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would have been better to appoint a Minister to give this evidence rather than place a civil servant in the position of having to give personal views upon matters of political controversy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I do not, and I am sure if the hon. Member had been in my position he would have taken the same view.
§ Mr. DALTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this witness stated, among other things, that he attached no importance whatever to the Peace Ballot—[Laughter]—and also expressed the view that it was unthinkable that the public manufacture of arms should be instituted, and is it not evident from the reception that my supplementary question has met with that these are matters of political controversy?
§ Mr. ATTLEEIn view of the failure to answer the question, I give notice that we shall raise this in debate.
§ 49. Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Prime Minister whether any 827 rules exist governing the conduct of civil servants when called as witnesses before Royal Commissions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere are no rules expressly governing this subject. A Royal Commission is entitled to receive from witnesses the benefit of their knowledge and experience, and the matter is therefore one to be governed not by rule but by practical considerations, the most important of which is that the Commission should receive every possible assistance in its investigation.
Miss RATH BONEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider it in accordance with the traditions of the conduct of civil servants that they should declare the opinions of 11,000,000 of the electorate—
§ Mr. SPEAKERrose.