§ MR. J. GRETTON (Derbyshire, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if it is a fact that an expert officer in the service of a foreign Government was recently shown the process of filling shells with high explosives by a highly placed official in the Ordnance Factories; if such a proceeding is in conformity with the provisions of the Official Secrets Act; and, are corresponding facilities for obtaining important information granted to British officers by officials in the Government factories of Foreign Powers?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe process referred to is a dangerous one, and is not, therefore, shown to ordinary visitors, but it is not secret, and the Official Secrets Act did not come in question.
§ MR. GRETTONasked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that information as to this process was systematically withheld from officers in the British Service?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir: I am not aware that such is the case, but I will make inquiries into the matter.