HC Deb 17 October 1940 vol 365 cc829-31
The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)

I beg to move, That a Select Committee be appointed to investigate the conduct and activities of Mr. Boothby in connection with the payment out of assets in this country of claims against the Government of and institutions in the Republic of Czecho-Slovakia: to report generally on these matters and in particular to consider and report whether the conduct of the honourable Member was contrary to the usage or derogatory to the dignity of the House or inconsistent with the standards which Parliament is entitled to expect from its Members. I have placed a Motion on the Paper, which is in possession of hon. Members, the terms of which they have no doubt studied. The House will require to know the grounds on which this Motion has been put down. It will be remembered that after the occupation of Prague certain Czech assets were blocked in this country, and there arose the question of payments from these assets to those who had claims against the Czech Government or institutions in that country. The hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) took a very active part interviewing Ministers in this matter, pressing for legislation, and he spoke in this House on the Bill which was subsequently introduced. He became chairman of an informal committee of Czech claimants, and has pressed for the payment of claims. Evidence has recently been placed before the Government which indicates that the hon. Member had a financial interest in one large claim. This appeared to be inconsistent with a statement he had made to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and, together with other evidence, it seemed to raise the question whether his action had been in accordance with the usages of Parliament, or the standards it is entitled to expect from its Members. When I communicated these apprehensions to the hon. Member it became clear that there was a conflict between the evidence in the possession of His Majesty's Government, and the facts as he described them. The matter, therefore, requires to be investigated by a Committee of this House. I considered whether I should then move that it should be referred to the Committee of Privileges but, after obtaining guidance as to the precedents, I came to the conclusion that as the case appeared to raise other issues besides that of Privilege, it was better that it should go to a Select Committee, so that the truth could be ascertained and the conduct of the hon. Member considered.

The hon. Member has assured me that he concurs in the course proposed, and that he submits himself willingly to the Committee and will assist them in every way. I do not consider it fitting at this stage to call for the hon. Member's resignation of the office which he holds with distinction in the Government, as this might appear in the eyes of the public to prejudice the issue. The hon. Member has, however, asked to be suspended from his duties in the meanwhile, and I am prepared to make the necessary arrangements for this. I hope the course I have outlined will commend itself to the House, and that I shall not be pressed to elaborate it. It would be manifestly improper for me to enter into detail upon the matters which will be investigated by the Select Committee, and, still more, that we should debate matters which, if this Motion is accepted, will at once become sub judice. The terms of reference have been widely drawn, but when the evidence is heard I do not think the Committee will have any difficulty in deciding what matters are relevant to their inquiries.

Mr. Bellenger

I agree that as the matter is sub judice it would be improper to go into the particular questions which form the basis of the Motion. The Prime Minister, however, has referred to making other arrangements to carry on the work which the hon. Gentleman is doing, and, I think, doing energetically and vigorously, while the investigation is taking place. He holds what is, in present circumstances, an important office, and could the Prime Minister say what are the arrangements which he has made for this work to be carried out while the hon. Gentleman is suspended?

The Prime Minister

I think that I might be given a little latitude.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, That a Select Committee be appointed to investigate the conduct and activities of Mr. Boothby in connection with the payment out of assets in this country of claims against the Government of and institutions in the Republic of Czechoslovakia: to report generally on these matters and in particular to consider and report whether the conduct of the honourable Member was contrary to the usage or derogatory to the dignity of the House or inconsistent with the standards which Parliament is entitled to expect from its Members.