§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that an anonymous book entitled "The Truth about the Navy," consisting largely of magazine articles extolling Admiralty policy, has been issued to His Majesty's ships; whether these books have been issued at the taxpayers' expense; and, if so, to what Vote they are charged.
§ *MR. LAMBERTThe pamphlet in question has been issued to ships without any official approval being given to its contents. The expense will be charged to Vote 2 which bears the cost of ships' libraries.
§ MR. BELLAIRSI desire to ask the hon. Gentleman whether in his opinion this does not amount to a secret commission to journalists to induce them to defend the Admiralty?
§ *MR. LAMBERTThat is a matter of opinion, and my opinion is of just the same value as that of my hon. friend.