HC Deb 12 April 1956 vol 551 cc386-7
45. Mr. Snow

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce amending legislation to ensure that when public inquiries are held, they will not be presided over by officials of Ministries whose intentions are being challenged, or of Ministries where the intentions of nationalised industries or statutory bodies subordinate to them are being challenged.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

These inquiries are within the terms of reference of the Committee on Administrative Tribunals and Inquiries. The hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot anticipate its Report.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have armed myself with certain information about the proceedings of the Committee? Has his attention been drawn to evidence produced by the Treasury Solicitor, as published in The Times on 10th April, in which he drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of affairs in that Government officials at the inquiries cannot be cross-examined? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the proposed public inquiry about a nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Sea two of the Ministries concerned will not have representatives and, therefore, certain parties will not have an opportunity to see that their interests are being properly protected by the Department concerned?

The Prime Minister

It is because we are concerned with the general position that we have set up the Committee, which I am glad to think the hon. Member will support. I really must await its findings. Any individual point which the hon. Gentleman has should be addressed to the Department dealing with them.

Mr. Snow

Very unsatisfactory.