HC Deb 09 May 1950 vol 475 cc200-1
65. Mr. John Grimston

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate further amongst all parties to the negotiations, both official and unofficial, the leakage of news on 26th April, concerning the Government's sale of shares in Tanganyika Concessions, in view of the fact that these Concessions are a principal source of uranium.

70. Wing-Commander Bullus

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate further how the essential details of the transaction between the Bank of England and an Anglo-Belgian group of mining companies for the sale of 1,667,961 shares of Tanganyika Concessions came to be published on 26th April, two days before the announcement was made by him.

Sir S. Cripps

I am satisfied that further inquiries would not serve any useful purpose.

Mr. Grimston

Does not the Chancellor think it very disturbing that our only Communist daily newspaper, which is normally relied on to be last with the news, should show itself so very well-informed on this matter?

Sir S. Cripps

I do not think that it is very disturbing in view of the very wide circulation which necessarily this agreement had before it was actually settled.

Mr. Eden

Do I understand that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has made inquiries and investigated?

Sir S. Cripps

I have made inquiries, and I find that the agreement bad necessarily a very wide circulation before it was actually finalised, owing to the large number of groups and other people interested in it.