§ Mr. BRIDGEMANasked if the two volumes of evidence taken before the Welsh Church Commission, which are to be published with the Interim Report, contain the evidence of the four Welsh bishops?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo Interim Report has yet been received by the Secretary of State. I believe, however, that the evidence of the four Welsh bishops is contained in the third volume of the evidence.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMay I ask whether the publication of the Interim Report has been decided upon in consequence of representations made to the Commission by His Majesty's Government, and whether it is possible that the third volume may be published, containing the evidence of the Welsh bishops at the same time, if not before, the Interim Report?
§ Mr. SAMUELI have no knowledge of any Interim Report having been signed by the Commission.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether any request has been received from the Royal Commission on the Welsh Church for consent to the publication of the first two volumes of evidence without the third; whether such consent is essential to such publication; and whether such consent has been given?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is that no such request has been received. The answer to the second and third parts is that the publication of such documents is 406 not by authority of the Secretary of State, but follows on their presentation to Parliament, if they are presented, by Royal Command. The Secretary of State's position in the matter is that of adviser to His Majesty.