§ 46. Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table of the House of Commons the volume of official correspondence relating to the negotiations for the Marconi Contract which was before the Select Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis correspondence wins communicated to the Committee in confidence, and was not intended to be made accessible to the public. I am in communication with the Departments concerned, to ascertain whether its publication would be consistent with the public interest.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I ask if, in considering that matter, the right hon. Gentleman will bear in mind the fact that the House will now be required on Friday week to discharge the duty which was originally entrusted to the Select Committee, namely, to decide on the desirability of this contract?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Noble Lord knows that this correspondence was communicated under the seal of confidence. Of course, somewhat different considerations may now arise.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if this document is placed upon the Table, he will consider the possibility or advisability of also placing upon the Table the private evidence given by the War Office and Admiralty experts in this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will look into it.