There is a further point which is apt to escape
notice. It is sometimes said that in any case the Ministers who received the valuable "tip" did not let their possession of the shares in any way influence their public conduct. That is a question that the Lords' Committee should surely look into very closely. In our opinion, it must have tended to influence their conduct. It was most important for the company that the contract should be ratified by the House, and the matter made an accomplished fact as early as possible—i.e., before the House dispersed in August, 1912. Lord Murray, as Whip, had great power over the choices of dates for discussing the contract, and, as far as we can see, used his influence to get the matter decided quickly and not postponed. It is possible, of course, that he has some complete answer on this point, but, at any rate, it is one on which inquiry is imperatively demanded.
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