§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSON (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that to the meeting recently addressed by General Baden-Powell at Newcastle-on-Tyne the Press had been invited in the usual manner, and that five reporters were present seated at the table provided for them; whether he has been informed that the reporters affirm the accuracy of their reports; and, if so, whether he propose? to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. HALDANEI have already given to the House the information which was furnished to me on the subject. There appears to have been some misunderstanding as to the nature of the occasion and as to what actually happened. I do not think it likely that a similar misunderstanding will occur again, and, therefore, it does not seem to me worth while to enter upon the laborious investigation which I should have to enter upon before I could be sure of having reached the true view of the merits of the controversy.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONasked whether in the case of such speeches being made by generals or other officers of the British Army the War Office ever thought it important to exercise any supervision at all, and whether the Secretary for War did not consider that such utterances were gravely calculated to weaken the relations between this country and foreign Powers.
§ MR. HALDANEYes, we do think it worth our while, and we look after them very closely. It is always to be regretted that such utterances are made, but the point is not as to principle, but as to the facts in this particular case.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONThen may I ask, does the right hon. Gentleman still adhere to the reflection cast on the accuracy of the reporters?
§ MR. HALDANEThere are two reflections—one as to the accuracy of the reporters, and the other as to the accuracy of the general. The difficulty is to decide between the two.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONIS the right hon. Gentleman aware that five reporters are agreed as to the accuracy of the report?
§ MR. HALDANEI do not know how many.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONThen, may I finally ask, whether, supposing this statement to be accurate, and the lecture is to be regarded as of a private nature, such declarations are regarded as properly part of the military training?
§ MR. HALDANEThe question is as to what was actually said, and it would require a laborious investigation to get at the truth. That would distract my attention from many other matters.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a case for "laborious investigation"?
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork County, N.)May I ask whether the word of one general is worth that of five reporters?
§ [No Answer was returned.]