§ 22. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Food whether he has considered the allegations of bribery and corruption in the Brighton Food Office; whether he is satisfied that his Department's inquiry into these charges was adequate; on what grounds 33 paragraphs of the report on the inquiry were deleted before circulation to the local authority; and whether he will now publish the report in full.
§ Mr. StracheyThe reply to the first two parts of the Question is in the affirmative. The full report of the Committee which I appointed to inquire into these allegations included the names of men and women against whom alleged offences were not proved to the satisfaction of the Committee, and which I am therefore not prepared to disclose.
§ Mr. MarloweIf, in fact, these deleted paragraphs exonerate certain people, 604 would it not be fair that they should be published? What is the use of holding an inquiry and sending an incomplete report to those who initiated it?
§ Mr. StracheyThe hon. and learned Gentleman would find that those parts of the report do not, in every case, exonerate all the people mentioned, but they are in the nature of a non-proven verdict in some, and I do not think it would be fair to publish them.
§ Mr. MarloweIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this has caused intense local indignation and gives rise to the inference that the right hon. Gentleman has something to hide?
§ Mr. TeelingIn view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, will he be prepared to allow, as the council has requested, certain members of the council to go in deputation to see him, and may they be accompanied by Members for the division.
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly.