At question-time on Thursday Mr. Bomar Law asked Mr. Asquith
whether he would appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the financial management of the India Office, in view of recent disclosures as to balances and the purchase of silver. Mr. Asquith replied that the India Office was anxious for full inquiry. He would consider, he added, whether some other form of inquiry than a Select Committee might not be more satisfactory. We are exceedingly glad that the inquiry is to take place, but we wish its scope could be enlarged. We want to see laid down the principles which should guide our public men in matters where there is any danger of the creation of an atmosphere of suspicion—an atmosphere harmful to the commonweal—principles which will lead to the observance of that discretion and delicacy in the handling of public affairs for which we have so often pleaded in these columns. In a leading article we show that members of the present Cabinet were once exceedingly anxious to proclaim the need for such delicacy and discretion in order that an atmosphere of suspicion might not be created. Unless they are prepared to declare that they have changed their minds on this matter, they will surely not refuse to extend the inquiry as we suggest.
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