HIS CONSCIENCE CLEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 130, 3 June 1936, Page 9

HIS CONSCIENCE CLEAR

"NO DISCLOSURES TO ANYBODY" MR. THOMAS INTERVIEWED United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received June 3, noon.) LONDON, June 2. In an interview, Mr. J. H. Thomas said: "I repeat what I previously stated on oath to the tribunal, that I made no disclosure of Budget secrets to anybody. My conscience is clear. "I would like to make it clear first that immediately I heard my son's and my name mentioned I demanded an inquiry. Secondly, I never, while a member of Cabinet, knew the form the inquiry would take or the composition of the tribunal, but immediately it was publicly announced I wrote and offered to give all the assistance I could. I appeared twice before the tribunal, on the second occasion to state that I had never seen or heard the people who gave evidence associating my name with their transactions.

"It is well known that every private transaction of mine was investigated by the tribunal. Immediately the tribunal ended its public sittings I tendered my resignation, because, as I explained in a letter to the Prime. Minister, I was, and am, jealous to preserve the high standard of public morality maintained by all parties in the State. "A TERRIBLE BLOW." "It would be idle to deny that my resigning from a body of colleagues with whom I had worked in complete accord for so many years in such a circumstance was a terrible blow. Nobody will ever know the indignities I and my family have suffered, but one has some consolation from the thousands of letters from all classes which have given me help and encouragement,, and above all, the true comradeship of a loving wife and family have enabled me to bear up against the strain.

"I intend to take an early opportunity to address my constituents, who for so many years have given me their confidence." When he was interviewed Mr.

Thomas obviously was suffering from severe shock, and lie read slowly and deliberately a statement which had been prepared in consultation with his solicitors. FIGHT FOR HIS SEAT LIKELY. In the meantime, as he was surrounded by the male members of his family, crowds gathered outside his house, but. they were controlled by the police. It is regarded as probable that Mr. Thomas will vacate his seat in the House of Commons and fight a byelection in Derby, his constituency.

The committee of the National Government Association will meet within a few days to consider the report and its bearing on Mr. Thomas's future.