HC Deb 14 July 1915 vol 73 cc819-20
42. Mr. LOUGH

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will state who is the Mr. H. S. Morgan who is constantly making communications to the Press with regard to his Department, all of which no doubt reach the enemy; and whether he can arrange that all announcements which it may be desirable to make public shall be made in this House by one of the Ministers representing his Department?

Mr. MacVEAGH

May I ask if it is the fact that Mr. Morgan is one of the most successful organisers in London, and that his communications largely helped the right hon. Gentleman to obtain the result he was aiming at?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

My hon. Friend (Mr. MacVeagh) is perfectly accurate in his information. Mr. Morgan is a gentleman of business experience who has volunteered his services to help the Ministry of Munitions and the trade unions in the enrolment and organisation of the War Munition Volunteers, and I take this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable help he has given in this connection. Mr. Morgan has acted entirely within his instructions in the communications made by him to the Press in his highly successful efforts to appeal for volunteers and I am not aware that any such communication has been made which it would be desirable to withhold from the enemy. I do not propose to make any change in the arrangements for publicity

Mr. LOUGH

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the statements made in the Press that thousands of men would be brought from Vancouver, apart from those arranged for by the hon. Member for the Blackfriars Division, should be made in that way, and in a large matter of that kind should not the House be consulted?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I saw that statement. I think my right hon. Friend is quite wrong. He did not say so. I think he said that the matter was left in the hands of the hon. Member for Blackfriars (Mr. Barnes) and some other gentleman, and that they were acting on behalf of the Board of Trade. That is all Mr. Morgan said.