§ 36. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Attorney-General what action is being taken on the Special Report submitted by the Council on Tribunals to the Lord Chancellor on 2nd February, 1966.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor took immediate steps to bring the Report to the attention of my right honourable Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, who made a full statement about the matter in this House on the 9th February. It is not for my noble Friend or for me to take any further action in this matter, for which neither he nor I have any Departmental responsibility.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterBut does not the Council on Tribunals report to the Lord Chancellor? Was it not set up for the purpose of protecting the citizen against abuse of power, and does the right hon. and learned Gentlemen's Answer mean that the present Lord Chancellor will stand idly by when the person censured by the Tribunal is a political colleague?
§ The Attorney-GeneralNot at all. There is a duty to report to the Lord Chancellor and my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in this case at once drew the report to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, who made a very full statement in the House on this matter and welcomed the challenge of the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) that the matter should be further discussed in the House.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the Attorney-General aware that not everybody was satisfied with the explanation given by the Minister of Housing to the House? Will he ask the Council on Tribunals what view it takes now of the Minister's explanation?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs I said, my right hon. Friend has been frank with the House about this matter, and as I see that there is a Motion on the Order Paper with regard to this and there has been a willingness to enter into full discussions, I do not think that I have anything further to add myself.