§ 12 and 32. Mr. Jenningsasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he has completed his promised investigation into the conduct of the inquiry in the case of the "Tutbury Jinnie"; and whether he will now make a statement;
(2) in view of the recent evidence, which has now been sent to him by the hon. Member for Burton, regarding the "Tutbury Jinnie", if he has yet come to a decision regarding the reference of this matter to the appropriate consultative committee.
§ Mr. HayThe result of my investigation into this matter was communicated to my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Jennings) in my letter of 23rd May, and I have carefully considered the letters he sent to my right hon. Friend on 30th May. I am satisfied that there was no impropriety in the conduct of the inquiry, and I can see no justification for asking the West Midlands Consultative Committee to reopen the case.
§ Mr. JenningsIs my hon. Friend aware that a Mr. George Dow, the area traffic manager for the Birmingham Area, sat 1429 on that consultative committee as a member of the committee and as such stated the case for the British Transport Commission, answering the objectors' case and, in effect, as a member of the committee acting as an expert witness on behalf of the British Transport Commission? At the end of the proceedings, he then sat in judgment on the decision. Will my hon. Friend, in view of the evidence which I have sent to him, institute a new inquiry into the whole matter, since justice has not even been seen to he done?
§ Mr. HayMy hon. Friend raised this matter in full on the Adjournment on 3rd May. In the course of that debate, he made the allegations which he has repeated today. I have fully investigated them and I have discussed the matter on two occasions since with my hon. Friend. I assure him that I am myself satisfied that there was no impropriety in this matter. Beyond that I cannot go this afternoon.