SPECIAL TRIBUNAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26915, 29 October 1948, Page 5

SPECIAL TRIBUNAL

ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN BOARD OF TRADE THOROUGH INQUIRY PENDING N.Z.P.A.—Copyright LONDON, Oct. 27. The House of Commons to-day agreed to set up a tribunal to inquire into allegations of irregularities at the Board of Trade. Mr Attlee moved a motion to establish a tribunal. The motion also provides for a judicial inquiry into alleged irregularities in other Government departments. The full terms of the motion are: “To establish a tribunal into allegations that payments, rewards, or other considerations have been sought, offered, promised, made, or received by, or to, Ministers or other public servants, in connection with licences or permissions required under any enactment, regulation, or order, or in connection with the withdrawal of any prosecution.” Four Allegations Four specific matters to be referred to the tribunal were:— 1. Proposals relating to applications to import amusement machinery. 2. A proposal relating to an application for a building licence. 3. A proposal relating to permission to issue capital for the formation of a company operating football pools. 4. The withdrawal of a prosecution for contravention of the Paper Control order by a firm of football pool promoters, and representations made by a firm for an increased allocation. Mr Attlee’s motion was agreed to without division. Mr Attlee, as the judge, would preside over the tribunal, and would have two eminent lawyers associated with him. It would have all the powers of the High Court to enforce the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents. Mr Attlee said that last August the President of the Board of Trade (Mr Harold Wilson) was informed by officials of the board that allegations had been made that the Parliamentary Secretary and other Ministers and officials had been offered or had received bribes in respect of a prosecution against a certain firm of football pool promoters, and in respect of an allocation of paper to the same firm. The President of the Board of Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, acting in Mr Attlee’s absence, agreed that the Lord Chancellor should be asked to inquire into the allegations. Scotland yard, in the meantime, had beeen asked to make inquiries. Mr Attlee said the police had already received information that a licence to import amusement machines could be obtained by bribing Ministers or officials, and they had begun investigations. Aliens Believed Involved Mr Attlee added that all allegations could be traced back to the activities of certain aliens. Certain individuals figured in some, but not in others. Of the four allegations, Mr Attlee said: “If criminal proceedings have been or are about to be instituted while the tribunal is sitting, the tribunal may consider its appropriate course of action.” Mr Attlee added that the inquiry would proceed whether any prosecution was launched or not. The tribunal, no doubt, would ensure that the interests of justice were safeguarded, and the defence, would not be prejudiced by the inquiry. Mr Churchill said no Parliament had shown itself more vigorous and forward in matters affecting the honour of members or Ministers on questions of a breach of confidence, privilege, or character. In the case now brought forward he appealed to members not to indulge in gossip or the wide diffusion of names and other scandalous matters. Mr Churchill added: “We have every confidence in the course the Government proposes, and shall await' the results with hopes that it will vindicate completely the honour and reputations of the individuals, and, if not the individuals, the system by which we carry on our government.”