§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANMay I ask the Secretary of State for War when the Army Estimates will be in the hands of hon. Members? I see that they, like the Report of the Re-constitution Committee, have been handed to the Press first.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThat is a matter, I think, for which I am responsible. I understood that hon. Members were most desirous to see the figures of the Army Estimates before the discussion took place on the Navy Estimates. I therefore took care that the Memorandum should be circulated, and I believe it is at this moment in the Vote Office. The Army Estimates themselves will not be circulated until to-morrow. For the convenience of hon. Members I did endeavour on Saturday night to have the Memorandum circulated, and if it was not in the hands of hon. Members this morning that matter I regret. If the exigencies of printing did not allow hon. Members to receive it before midday to-day I regret it.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe point is that if it is not possible to place these documents in the hands of Members they ought not to be given to the Press.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI admit that as a general procedure; but this is a particular case, because I understood that it was thought desirable that this document should be in the hands of on. Members to-day before they discussed the Navy Estimates. I have done my very best to secure its circulation to-day. If Government printing goes a little less rapidly than other printing that is a matter for which I am not responsible. I did my best to secure the circulation of the Papers to-day.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANHow did it get to the Press?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThis occurred on Saturday, and the Press have 1254 facilities for printing on Saturday and Sunday which the Government do not possess. There has been no unusual course taken. The course taken has been, I believe, for the convenience of Members.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Press could not bring it out until they got it.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIf I may use a printing phrase, the copy went to both printers at the same time. There is no doubt about that.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNow I wish to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the order of business will be this week.
§ * MR. AKERS-DOUGLASWe propose to take the Navy Estimates to-day, tomorrow, and Wednesday, and the Army Estimates on Thursday moving the Speaker out of the Chair.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSeeing that the Army Estimates will not be in the hands of hon. Members till to-morrow, is it not scanty time to allow till only Thursday for hon. Members to consider them?
§ * MR. AKERS-DOUGLASIf the right hon. Gentleman will repeat the Question to-morrow the matter shall be considered meantime.
§ MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stowmarket)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of supplying Blue-books and other State Papers to hon. Members and to the Press simultaneously.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, Order! The hon. Member had better put that Question down. It is now three o'clock, and the matter is not one of an urgent character.