§ Mr. ChurchillMay I ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a Notice of Motion which stands on the Paper in my name, and in the name of other hon. Members, on the subject of a Select Committee to inquire into the circumstances of the disclosure of Budget information last week, and 822 whether he has any statement' to make upon the subject?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, my attention has been called to this Motion. My right hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) made a very full and frank statement in public on the matter. He has paid a very heavy penalty for his indiscretion, and I know that he has the sympathy of Members in the misfortune which has come upon him. I am not myself able to see what further information is required in the matter, but neither my right hon. Friend nor the Government would oppose further inquiry—because there is nothing whatever to conceal in the matter—if it was thought necessary. To oppose it might seem to suggest there was something. There is nothing whatever to reveal beyond what my right hon. Friend has already announced to the House. Therefore, if a desire is evinced to set up a Select Committee the Government would not oppose it.
§ Mr. ChurchillI am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. I think it is in the general interest and in the interests of the House, and also in the interests of the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the facts of this matter shall be put upon record by a responsible Committee in such a way as to put an end to any slanderous rumours which may be in circulation.
§ Mr. Arthur GreenwoodIn view of the statement which the right hon. Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) has made repeating the demand for an inquiry, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he agrees that the Motion will be debateable, and whether in those circumstances he will allow a free vote of the House upon it?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that such a Motion is debatable and I should like to consider it when it is definitely put down.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI should like to have an answer to my question whether the Motion, when it comes before the House, will be put to a free vote of the House, as this is a matter for the House itself and not for the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The Government considered this matter, and the position they have taken up is that if there is a demand for an inquiry the Government will not oppose it.
§ Mr. ChurchillThere is a formal demand for the inquiry from the Opposition, and I believe that the demand is also supported by the party below the Gangway.
§ Mr. Clement DaviesI would suggest that it is really in the very best interests of the right hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) that there should be an inquiry, as he may be subject to all kinds of rumours and slanders—[HON. MEMBERS: "What are they?"]—and is so now, as a matter of fact. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The statement which has been made by him is a very short one. It will be better in his interests that the whole of the facts should be laid before a committee so that everybody will know them. In those circumstances I do ask for this Select Committee.
§ Several Hon. Membersrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerWe cannot have Second Reading speeches now On the subject of the Motion.
§ Mr. Beverley BaxterMay I point out to the Prime Minister—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member can ask questions, but I do not want a Second Reading speech on the matter.
§ Mr. BaxterMay I ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that newspapers in the United States and in Canada have been sending cables to many of us asking for the inside story of what has happened—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—in the belief that there is something sinister about it? May I ask the Prime Minister, therefore, in view of the fact that three men are involved, all of whom everybody in this House believes to be men of absolute personal honour—the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Lobby correspondent and the Editor of the "Star,"—and because those three men have blundered so unfortunately and have paid such a heavy price, whether it would not be an honourable and wise thing to hold an inquiry into the matter?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Prime Minister has already said that he will not resist an inquiry. I do not think it is of any value to pursue this matter further.