British Inquiry Into Alleged Bribery of Government Department

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1948, Page 8

British Inquiry Into Alleged Bribery of Government Department

LONDON, Oct. 8. An official statement from No. 10 Downing Street said; the Prime Minister. Mr Attlee, has decided that a full judicial inquiry will be held into the alleged irregularities involving a Government department. The im quiry which has been recently conducted by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Jowitt, into certain alleged irregularities, has taken place in the following circumstances: While the police were conducting an investigation in the course of their normal duties, it came to the notice of the Board of Trade that allegations had been made that money obtained from a member of a firm of football pool promoters had been used to influence the course of action of the Bard of Trade. The President of the Board of Trade, Mr Wilson, then gave instructions that the fullest assistance should be given the police investigation. and, since the name of Mr J. W. Belcher, Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade, had been mentioned, Mr Wilson asked, with Mr Belcher’s agreement, that Lord Jowitt should inquire into the allegations.

The matter which the police were investigating at the time was an allegation that, in return for a substantial payment of cash, facilities for the importation of equipment for fun-fairs could be obtained. This allegation also had been covered in Lord Jowitt’s inquiry. No other alleged irregularity has been before the Government, nor has Lord Jowitt’s inquiry been concerned with any investigations which have been or are being carried out by the police and by the Board of Trade investigation staff in the course of normal duties into so-called black market activities. In view of these allegations, Mr Attlee, after a discussion with Lord Jowitt, decided that a full judicial inquiry ought to be held. Accordingly, as soon as Parliament reassembles, the necessary motion will be laid before both Houses.