HC Deb 03 May 1972 vol 836 cc159-60W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he hopes to make a statement on the Salmon Committee's recommendations, in relation to alleged shortcomings by civil servants;

(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that before any civil servant who is involved in an inquiry is called as a witness, he should be given notification of allegations in advance, together with the substance of the supporting evidence, and should have an opportunity of preparing a defence against the allegations.

Mr. Maudling:

The Royal Commission's recommendations relate to the procedures of tribunals of inquiry in general, whoever may be parties to them. As I indicated when replying to the debate on the V and G tribunal on Monday, 1st May, the Government thought it right that before final conclusions were reached on the recommendations they should be tested by the experience of that tribunal. The recommendations will now be examined in the light of comments which have been sought from its chairman. which I should expect to cover the particular issue to which the hon. Member had drawn attention. The Government's conclusions will be made known when this examination has been completed.