HC Deb 06 October 1942 vol 383 cc1074-5
57. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the evidence in the application by Messrs. Courtaulds, in the matter of compensation arising from the sale of their American assets and, in particular, the evidence of Sir Edward Peacock?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir. As the House was informed on 25th November, 1941, it was agreed before the arbitration began that the proceedings should take place on the footing that they were not to be made public.

Mr. Shinwell

Yes, but did not Sir Edward Peacock give evidence which was rather detrimental to some people in the Treasury in connection with this transaction, and would it not be desirable that the House should be informed and that the people in the Treasury who were castigated by Sir Edward Peacock should be dealt with?

Sir K. Wood

I think my hon. Friend is now endeavouring to get me to state what was said during these proceedings, but I may say, without, I hope, transgressing the decision on that point, that I am not aware of any of those statements.

Mr. Shinwell

In order to test the point, is it not desirable that we should see the evidence? Is it not likely that in the evidence there was an attack on the right hon. Gentleman himself?

Sir K. Wood

It may be so, and it would not be the only attack.