§ 23. Mr. Charles Pannellasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will have the complete transcript of the proceedings of the Scarcroft case put in the Library for the use of hon. Members.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydYes, Sir. In the exceptional circumstances of this case my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary is arranging for a complete transcript to be put in the Library.
§ Mr. PannellWhile thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask if he is aware of the great service this will be to the cause of truth in view of the fact of the venom and malice imported in the Yorkshire Press to the reporting of this story?
§ 26 and 34. Mr. Anthony Marloweasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what steps were taken in his Department to check the accuracy of the information upon which the former Minister of Fuel and Power gave an answer to this honourable House on 4th December, 1950, which subsequently proved incorrect;
2010 (2) in connection with the incorrect answer given to this honourable House by his predecessor on 4th December, 1950, if he will make a statement as to whether he has exercised his powers under Section 6 (4) of the Electricity Act, 1947, of obtaining from the area board concerned information relative to this matter.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydIn the time available the information had to be obtained and checked by telephone.
Arising out of my statement a week ago, there is a further development of which I should inform the House. When I saw the part-time members of the Board last Wednesday they brought to my notice information which showed that the officer of the Ministry who was instructed to obtain and check the information from the Board may himself have been aware of the inaccuracy of the answer he agreed with the Board.
I have instituted immediate investigations into this matter, which are not yet completed. I will certainly, if necessary, exercise my powers under Section 6 (4) of the Electricity Act, 1947.
§ Mr. MarloweWill my right hon. Friend report to this House the result of these inquiries as soon as they are complete?
§ 30. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish the records which he examined in connection with the incorrect answer given to this honourable House on 4th December, 1950, by his predecessor.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydNo, Sir. This is contrary to precedent.
§ 33. Mr. Donald Kaberryasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can now announce the names of the new chairman and deputy chairman of the Yorkshire Electricity Board; and whether he has any statement to make about the other members of the Board.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydYes, Sir. I have appointed as Chairman of the Yorkshire Electricity Board Mr. J. S. Pickles, at present Chairman of the South-West Scotland Electricity Board. He will take up his appointment tomorrow, 4th December.
2011 I have accepted Mr. Newey's resignation with effect from Saturday last, 1st December. I have not yet appointed his successor, but hope to do so shortly.
I do not propose to make any change in the part-time members of the Board as a result of the recent case. Very full inquiries were made by the Director of Public Prosecutions and no charge was made against the part-time members. I am satisfied that they did not know that unauthorised expenditure was taking place and were entitled to assume that the responsible officers of the Board would obtain all necessary licences and consents from the Government Departments concerned, for the various activities of the Board.
§ Mr. KaberryDo I understand that Mr. Pickles is a Yorkshireman?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir. He is a Yorkshireman who has absorbed economical ideas of administration while in Scotland.
§ Colonel Alan Gomme-DuncanMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Pickles has now left the South-West Board of Scotland, it would be a good opportunity for putting it under the Secretary of State for Scotland?
§ Mr. Niall MacphersonCan my right hon. Friend say whom he is appointing in the place of Mr. Pickles?