§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the document described as Notes containing the Admiralty View of the Risk of Invasion, and 265 published as an appendix to the second edition of a book entitled, "Compulsory Service," written by General Sir Ian Hamilton, had been published in that form and manner with the consent of the Board of Admiralty, and whether it constituted an adequate and official expression of their views upon the possibilities of the invasion of these islands; whether that document would now be published in proper official form for the information of Parliament and the country; and whether full and early facilities would be afforded for the discussion by this House of a pronouncement of such vital importance?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)The document referred to is correctly described in the footnote on page 209 of the book as notes supplied by the Admiralty for the use of the War Office in a debate which was to have taken place last November in the House of Lords, on a Motion by Lord Roberts. The notes were published with the consent of the Board of Admiralty. For the purpose indicated the form is considered adequate, and is official. It is not proposed to republish the document. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if this decision is in accordance with precedent, he considers that Members of this House should be expected to go to the bookstalls in order to obtain copies of important documents issued by the Board of Admiralty, and stated by him to be official?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Member will kindly give me notice, I will look up the precedents on the particular point.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYIs there any reason why the paper should not be laid upon the Table of the House as a formal document?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs the document was not published by me, but by the Secretary of Stat" for War, I think I must have notice.
§ Mr. LEEDid not the right hon. Gentleman say that the document was official and published with the consent of the Board of Admiralty?
§ Mr. McKENNASo far as concerns the particular Notes supplied by us to the War Office, they were official. The pub 266 lication of the document, however, was not made by the Board of Admiralty, but by the War Office.
§ Mr. REMNANTIf precedent is against issuing this document, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is a precedent which might be departed from?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is the very point which, in response to the hon. Member for Fareham, I propose to look up.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDIs it usual for an official Admiralty document to be signed by one member of the Board?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir; documents are frequently sent to me signed by only one member of the Board.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDThey are not published like that, Sir"?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have promised the hon. Member that if he puts a Question on the Paper I will look up the precedents on the point.