§ COLONEL LOCKWOODI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what steps, if any, he intends to take with regard to the facts forwarded to him on the subject of the military men from a foreign nation who have been resident for the last two years, on and off, in the neighbourhood of Epping, and who have been sketching and photographing the whole district and communicating their information directly to their own country.
§ MR. HALDANEAs the law of this country stands at present, everybody, whether he is an Englishman or a foreigner, is at liberty to go about and, if he likes, to sketch and photograph, excepting in places where there are fortifications. Nor am I aware that in other civilised countries the law is materially different. And I wish to add that I neither attach as much importance as does the right hon. and gallant Member to the results, nor in this case do I feel so certain as he does about the facts.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODSurely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in foreign countries where similar proceedings are carried on there is a very speedy method of ending them?
§ MR. HALDANEIf you go near fortifications, either here or there, you will find yourself very summarily dealt with, but you may go and sketch over the whole of Germany, so far as I am aware.
§ MR. TOMKINSON (Cheshire, Crewe)Is it not open to anybody to buy Stanford's 25-inch scale map, which shows the whole country, with every particular in regard to roads, elevations, etc., better than anyone could possibly sketch it?
§ MR. HALDANEYes; and I believe on the Continent you can buy the general staff maps in addition. Very little importance is attached to that.
§ MR. ASHLEYWill not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his action of two years ago in stopping the military reconnaissance of Great Britain, in case an invasion takes place?
§ MR. HALDANEThe hon. Gentleman appears to have little confidence in the capacity of our people. The military reconnaissances were stopped because they were not suitable for the purpose for which they were intended. The most careful study of the ground will be made in the future by the forces charged with the defence of the country.
§ MR. ASHLEYWhy not institute proper reconnaissances?
AN HON. MEMBERasked whether this state of things was increasing in this country, and whether the same process was not going on in the New Forest and elsewhere.
§ MR. HALDANEI do not think so. I was told that a most certainly authenticated case had been discovered of three foreign officers taking observations not long ago. They were living apparently in great luxury at a house down in the country, with motors and champagne. On investigation I discovered that they were three gentlemen of a quite different character, not in the least associated with military matters, 1232 nor anything so desirable. This is the kind of thing which is constantly coming up.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODIs not the right hon. Gentleman rather turning the whole matter into ridicule? Does he approve of the system which is apparently going on in our midst?
§ MR. HALDANEMy Answer is that it is not apparently going on. If foreign staffs want to obtain that kind of information they would not be so foolish as to do it in the way the right hon. and gallant Member speaks of.