§ 46. Sir P. HANNONasked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House the terms of reference of the tribunal he has caused to be set up to inquire into matters arising out of the Lambert v. Levita case?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The following are the terms of the minute dated the 11th instant constituting the board of inquiry:
The Prime Minister, after consultation with the Postmaster-General, directs that an inquiry shall be held forthwith into certain statements made in the course of the recent case Lambert v. Levita affecting the British Broadcasting Corporation. The following will be the members of the special board of inquiry:Sir Josiah Stamp, G.C.B., G.B.E., Chairman of the London Midland and Scottish Railway, and formerly of the Board of Inland Revenue;21Sir Maurice Gwyer, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C., First Parliamentary Counsel;Sir Findlater Stewart, G.C.I.E., K.C.B., C.S.I., Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India.
§ Sir P. HANNONWill the report of the tribunal be laid on the Table of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am under the impression that I gave an answer to that question last week, when I said that when the report was submitted the Prime Minister would decide whether that course should be followed or not.
§ Mr. STEPHENDoes not the Prime Minister think that it would have been better to appoint a judicial committee as in the case of the Budget inquiry?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. If I had thought so I should have done it.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESWill the minutes of evidence be published at the appropriate time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should want notice of that question.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIs my right hon. Friend aware of the grave concern that is being felt because the evidence has apparently been completed without Major Gladstone Murray being heard, and can he assure the House that it is the desire of the Government that this tribunal should make a searching investigation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must have notice of that question. I have no idea whether that is the case or not.