HC Deb 11 May 1953 vol 515 cc878-9
44. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Committee of Inquiry into London Transport will invite evidence to be submitted to it; if such evidence will be published; and whether its report will be laid before Parliament and published.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As I have already indicated to the House, the way in which the Committee conduct their inquiry should, in my view, be left to the discretion of the Chairman, but experience has shown that the most useful results are obtained when the proceedings of such Committees are conducted in private. The Committee's report will, however, be laid before Parliament.

Mr. Davies

The House will probably agree that in this case it may be better for the hearings to be held in private. But will the Minister leave it to the discretion of the Committee to publish the evidence received if they consider it in the national interest to do so, as was done in the case of the B.B.C. inquiry?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Certainly.