§ 45. Sir David Maxwell Fyfeasked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement with regard to the terms of reference and membership of the committee to be set up under the Chairmanship of Sir Edwin Herbert to inquire into the activities of contact men.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)Yes, Sir. The Committee to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers will have the following terms of reference:
To inquire how far persons are making a business of acting as specialists in the submission of applications for licences or permits, or otherwise as intermediaries between Government Departments and the public; and to report whether the activities of such persons are liable to give rise to abuses, and to make recommendations. The inquiry is not intended to cover the activities on behalf of their clients by members of recognised professions.As I have already announced, the Chairman of the Committee will be Sir Edwin Herbert. The other members will be Mr. E. A. Carpenter, O.B.E., Mr. Dingle Foot, Sir George Gater, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., D.S.O., J.P., and Mr. C. J. Geddes. The Secretary of the Committee will be Mr. R. J. P. Hewison, of the Cabinet Office, Great George Street, S.W.1, to whom any persons wishing to give evidence before the Committee should write.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that he is satisfied that the fullest possible information will be made available to the Committee by the relevant Government Departments?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, everything will be done to give them the fullest information.