BUDGET LEAKAGE

Evening Star, Issue 22362, 11 June 1936, Page 11

BUDGET LEAKAGE

MR J. H. THOMAS'S POSITION TO RESIGN SEAT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, June 10. The ‘ Daily Herald’s ’ political correspondent says Mr Thomas visited the House of Commons, but did not apthe Chamber. He was closeted for 15 minutes with Mr Ramsay MacDonald. who urged that resignation of his seat was the only proper course. The 1 Daily Mail’s ’ political correspondent says that as a result of his talk with Mr MacDonald Mr Thomas has decided to resign his seat. Mr Thomas will make a personal statement on Thursday and then announce his resignation. The executive of the Labour members of, the House of Commons has decided to question the Government _ regarding the alleged leakage respecting Newfoundland bonds. It is understood that the Government has already made inquiries, ai\d Mr Chamberlain may make a statement during Thursday’s debate. NO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS $ - ■ CONTRARY TO BRITISH METHODS. LONDON, June 10. (Received June 11, at 11 a.m.) The Attorney-General has announced that he is not instituting criminal proceedings in respect to the Budgfet leakages. The law, he said, required unauthorised communications to be deliberate. If there was any doubt as to whether the disclosure was deliberate or inadvertent the accused was entitled to acquittal. Moreover, the fundamental principle f criminal law was that a jury should act only on evidence presented at a trial. It would be impossible to obtain a jury not familiar with the findings of the tribunal. and much of the evidence which the tribunal had considered. It would he foreign to British methods if information resulting from the exercise of wide powers of compulsory interrogation such as the tribunal had should be made the basis of a subsequent criminal charge. Mr Baldwin indicated that Mr Thomas and Sir Alfred Butt would make a statement to-morrow. The ‘ Evening News ’ understands that Mr Thomas met Mr Aiton (chairman of the Derby Conservatives) and intimated that he intended to resign. Mr Aiton advised him against such a step. Mr Thomas is believed to have discussed the statement he intends to make in the House of Commons to-mor-row with friends. It will be brief, and will reaffirm that he did not disclose Budget secrets and that his conscience is clear. DERBY STANDS BY MR THOMAS LONDON, June 10. (Received June 11, at noon.) In the House of Commons Labour members will move an addendum to the Government’s motion, “That ip view of the definite findings of the tribunal and the disclosures of gambling practices in the City of London, this House calls on the Government to take appropriate action.” The Derby _ Election Committee passed a‘resolution urging Mr Thomas to continue his representation, and adding: “It desires to express to Mr Thomas its full and complete confidence. This committee is mindful of his 26 years of devoted service to Derby and assures him of its continued and loyal support.” PREPARING THE WAY HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE. (British' Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 10. (Received June H, at noon.) At question time, after the AttorneyGeneral had announced in the House of Commons that there would be no prosecutions in connection with the Budget leakage, the Prime Minister announced that the Government would table a forma! motion for to-morrow that the tribunal’s report “he now considered,” which wouldnot prejudice the course of the discussiou. Opposition members, in supplementary questions, suggested that _ the Government and the Prime Minister, as Leader of the House in particular, had the responsibility to make recommendations arising out of the report, but Mr Baldwin refused to anticipate the course of the debate. He informed the House that Mr Thomas and Sir Alfred Butt-had expressed their intention of being in their places to make personal statements at the end of the questions tomorrow. The statements are expected to he brief, and the two members will then withdraw from the House.