Crichel Down Inquiry (Transcript of Evidence)

HC Deb 31 March 1955 vol 539 cc538-9

29. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Agriculture why his Department has refused to make available to anyone except Members of Parliament the transcript of evidence at the public inquiry conducted by Sir Andrew Clark into the Crichel Down case.

Mr. Amory

The transcript of evidence was not printed and could not, therefore, be made generally available to the public.

Mr. Crouch

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hundreds of people attended the inquiry and thousands would like to read the transcript of this evidence? Would he reconsider the matter, because the subject of the inquiry was a matter of very great importance?

Mr. Amory

As a matter of fact, only a handful of applications came to my Department, but I have reconsidered the matter and have placed a copy of the transcript of evidence in the library of the Ministry of Agriculture where anyone who is interested can see it.