By Tennille Tracy Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Leading members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee are raising questions about academic experts hired by BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) to investigate the oil spill, saying reports reveal that BP asked them to sign confidentiality agreements. "The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is not a private matter," said Reps. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) and Edward Markey (D., Mass.) in a letter to BP America Inc. President Lamar McKay. "Any effort to muzzle scientists or shield their findings under doctrines of legal privileges could seriously impede the recovery." Waxman and Markey asked BP's McKay to provide them with copies of all contracts the company penned with experts to study the spill. Waxman serves as chairman of the energy committee, while Markey serves as chairman of a subcommittee. The two lawmakers have played a central role in investigating the spill involving Transocean Ltd.'s (RIG, RIGN.VX) Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, releasing a detailed report in June that highlighted several decisions made by BP in the days before the disaster. BP representatives were unavailable to comment on the issue. -By Tennille Tracy, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-6619; tennille.tracy@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 29, 2010 17:22 ET (21:22 GMT)