§ Mr. MALCOLMasked upon which Vote the cost of the publication of Admiral Wilson's official Memorandum, included in the Secretary of State for War's recent work on compulsory service, will be borne; and whether the cost of producing that volume, containing official and semi-official information unobtainable elsewhere, will be defrayed out of public funds, or whether the expense of publication and the profits of sale will fall to a private firm of publishers?
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether his sanction was asked and obtained before the book, entitled "Compulsory Service," was published; can he give any precedent for a War Minister collaborating with the First Sea Lord and a general officer on the Active List in the publication of a book commenting on the naval and military policy of the Government; with whom did the publisher make his contract; and who receives the profits arising from the publication of the book?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI may state that no expense whatever for the publication of this work will be met out of any public funds. I am informed that the publisher made his contract with my right hon. Friend, and presumably the latter will receive the profits, if any, that may arise from the sale. The publication of the book did not require my sanction. I do not know whether there are any precedents, and I do not think it necessary to inquire.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINCan we have this First Lord's Memorandum laid on the Table for the information of Members of the House, so that they may have access to it without paying a royalty to the Secretary of State for War?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat has already been promised
§ Lord HUGH CECILDoes the document rank as an official document, or a private publication of the Secretary of State?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhen it is laid on the Table it will become an official document.
§ Lord HUGH CECILNow it is a private one?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Noble Lord may draw his own conclusions.