§ 9. Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for War whether the official publication, "The Eighth Army," was 1226 approved by the Army Council prior to publication.
§ Sir J. GriggThe Eighth Army booklet is one of a series issued to give in popular form an account of various features and phases of the war of general interest. The task of preparing these booklets is entrusted to selected writers who are given the necessary facilities for their work, but the booklets are not intended to be official documents of the blue book variety. They are not submitted for formal Army Council approval.
§ Sir R. GlynIs there any effective means of preventing newspapers drawing attention to, and making comments on, officers when such officers are unable to make any answer to the accusations?
§ Mr. GranvilleAre these publications submitted for the approval of the Secretary of State for War?
§ Sir J. GriggThe answer is, "No, Sir."
§ Earl WintertonIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of perturbation at this novel departure from precedent, which appears to be very unfair to many high ranking officers at present holding positions in other parts of the Empire?
§ Sir J. GriggThere are only two alternatives in this matter, namely, either to have the booklets produced not on an official basis, and with no attempt to control them closely, or to have them carefully "vetted" and officially issued by the Army Council. I, personally, think that the former is the better of the two alternatives.
§ Mr. J. J. LawsonIs the Minister aware that the average reader accepts them as official publications? Will he bear that in mind?
§ Sir J. GriggI will certainly consider whether it is possible to make clear that they are not.
§ Mr. GranvilleCan the Minister say whether the three generals referred to were given the opportunity of seeing this version before it was published in the booklet?
§ Sir J. GriggI think not.
Mr. AstorWill my right hon. Friend consider issuing a preface to the booklet, making these points clear?