§ 33. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what type of inquiry was held both at the time and subsequently into allegations of neglect on the part of the British Secret Service during the last war, in respect of the case outlined in "London Calling North Pole" whether Lieutenant Hubertus Lauwers, Mr. P. Dourlein, Mr. J. B. Ubbink and Colonel H. J. Giskes gave oral or written evidence at either of these inquiries; and the terms of reference of these inquiries.
§ The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)I have nothing to add to the answers given to the hon. Member on 28th January.
§ Mr. LewisAs I anticipated that that would be the reply, may I ask the Minister how there can have been a proper inquiry when the vital witnesses have not given any evidence, either orally or in writing? In view of the fact that the whole of the evidence was destroyed within two years of the end of the war, will the Minister not have a thorough inquiry made into the matter, like the Netherlands Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in Holland?
§ for certain information. That information is given to him in the answer.
Following is the answer:Of the commodities named, the Ministry of Materials traded only in sulphate of potash, sulphur, and (to a limited extent) sulphuric acid during 1952. Public trading in sulphate of potash ended on 30th June, 1952.The following table shows the average prices paid by the Government or by private traders for the three commodities in the years named.
§ Mr. LloydAs my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State said to the hon. Gentleman previously, if the hon. Gentleman has any new evidence of substance to bring forward, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be pleased to receive it in writing.
§ Mr. LewisWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree to ask these officers and men, who were directly connected with this incident, to give their evidence either verbally or in writing?