HC Deb 29 October 1948 vol 457 cc389-90
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

Now that both Houses of Parliament have passed the necessary Resolutions for the setting up of a Tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, it becomes incumbent on me to appoint the Tribunal. I thank you, Sir, for allowing me to inform the House at the earliest opportunity of the composition of the Tribunal.

The House will be glad to know that Mr. Justice Lynskey has consented to act as Chairman of the Tribunal and that Mr. Russell Vick, K.C. and Mr. Gerald Upjohn, K.C. have consented to serve as members. I am informed that the Tribunal will hold its first sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, 1st November, and any communications on the subject of the Tribunal's Inquiry should be addressed to the Secretary of the Tribunal at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Earl Winterton

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to make clear, although I think it is clear, that this in no way interferes with the discretion ordinarily vested in the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police and in the other police authorities to take criminal proceedings against any persons if it is considered proper to do so?

Mr. Ede

Certainly, Sir. The appointment of this Tribunal does not interfere with any of the ordinary functions of the law.

Sir John Mellor

Will the Home Secretary say if the case is to be presented by the Law Officers of the Crown or by other learned counsel?

Mr. Ede

I have no intention of being involved in a repetition of the Campbell case. It is not for me or for the Government to give any directions to the Law Officers of the Crown as to the way in which they handle this case. I notice that in another place there was some reference made to this matter yesterday, but I have no doubt that my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General is as capable of reading as I am.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

May we take it that the proceedings will be held in public?

Mr. Ede

That point was dealt with by the Prime Minister in his statement the other day. The proceedings have to be in public unless the Tribunal, for reasons sufficient to them, think it is in the public interest that some part of them should be conducted in private.