HC Deb 17 December 1946 vol 431 cc1734-5
1. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for War who authorised the articles written by Lieutenant Gourlay, who was recently acquitted on a charge of libelling the 6th Airborne Division because of authorisation by higher authority; and if he will state the name of the officer responsible, together with an indication of the action to be taken.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Bellenger)

The articles were authorised by a Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services who had been released from the service before the trial of Lieutenant Gourlay and could not be traced when required at the trial.