HC Deb 13 January 1913 vol 46 c1679
74. Captain GILMOUR

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will explain why the Report of the Commission presided over by the hon. Member for Inverness-shire was published in Scotland and appeared in the Scottish Press several days before it was available at the Vote Office?

7. (Unstarred) Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Report of the Committee presided over by the hon. Member for Inverness is not yet obtainable although it was presented to the House several days ago, and if he can state the reason for the delay and how a summary of the report appeared in the Scottish papers last Wednesday; and whether, in view of the importance of the Report and its bearing on the National Insurance Act, he can state when it will be available for hon. Members of the House of Commons?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I regret that owing to a misunderstanding a summary of the Report appeared in Scotland on the day after the Report was presented and the order to print given. The Report is now available for hon. Members at the Vote Office.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Report was first made public in Scotland?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I am afraid I cannot, but I think it was a misunderstanding as to the presentation. The Report was presented in dummy, and I think it was thought that it was presented to the House of Commons complete.