HC Deb 27 May 1954 vol 528 cc604-5
41. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the Report of the Crichel Down inquiry.

42. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects to receive and to publish the Report of the Crichel Down case.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (Sir Thomas Dugdale)

I have received Sir Andrew Clark's Report, and I expect to publish it shortly. I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Crouch

May I ask what my right hon. Friend means by "shortly"? Does he mean before Whitsun or after? Does he realise that there is great interest in this Report, not only in my constituency, but in the whole country?

Sir T. Dugdale

I hope very much it will be before Whitsun, but I ask the House to remember that the inquiry took seven days, that the Report is a long one, that I have had it in my hands for a fortnight and that I naturally want to study it in great detail before reporting to the House.

Sir W. Smithers

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that this Report will be issued without alteration or amendment? Further, has he seen the "News Chronicle" of yesterday, which contains a summary of all the supplementary questions that I should like to ask him?

Sir T. Dugdale

I am very well aware of the feeling which my hon. Friend has towards his right hon. Friends on the Front Bench.

Mr. T. Williams

Is there any possibility that the Report may be issued between now and next Thursday?

Sir T. Dugdale

I cannot commit myself to any particular date.

Sir W. Smithers

Why not?

Sir T. Dugdale

I have said that I hope it will be before Whitsun.