§ Mr. O. BALDWINasked the Prime Minister whether he can yet give a decision with reference to the setting up of a tribunal to inquire into alleged injustices suffered by nationals and foreigners at the 1348W hands of Government Departments; and whether he has yet decided on the submitted case of Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Tomkins?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion, which cannot be reconciled with the principle of the executive responsibility to Parliament. Ministers cannot divest themselves of this responsibility nor escape from it. In accordance with this principle Ministers must deal with individual cases, as with all other executive business, as they deem best in the public interest, and must decide on the form of inquiry appropriate to each case. I may add that the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers has on several occasions been carefully examined by the responsible Ministers in this and previous Administrations, and no other decision than that already reached is possible.