HC Deb 01 March 1904 vol 130 c1368
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I desire to ask the Secretary for War, or whoever can speak for him, why that mysterious document embodying the recommendation of a Committee of three, sitting on our Army system, already published in the newspapers, has not yet been delivered to Members.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not at all certain that I am not to blame for that. At the end of last week, when I was consulted on the subject, I said I personally saw no objection to the publication of the Report. There I left the matter. I think it is unfortunate that documents of this sort should be given to the Press before they are given to Members, and I will endeavour to guard against a repetition of the occurrence.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

This is a somewhat aggravated case. I raised the point on Friday, and such explanations as could be given were given, but Members are still without the Report.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There seems to be some mystery about it. The King's printers and the Press received the document at the same time, and the inference seems to be that the latter prints their matter rather more quickly than the former. At the same time I regret the occurrence.