§ Mr. KELLAWAYI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state the result of the inquiries he has made on the question I put to him yesterday: Whether he has seen a statement by the military correspondent of the "Times" that in the recent British attack in the districts of Fromelles and Richebourg the want of an unlimited supply of high explosives was a fatal bar to our success; if the statement was passed by the Censor; and why it was considered proper to inform the enemy that the British Army was short of ammunition?
§ Sir RICHARD COOPERI beg to ask the Prime Minister a question, of which I have given private notice: If it is the policy of the Government to discourage public discussion on the subject of munitions of war as being contrary to the public interest; and, if so, will he recommend the House to accept a motion excluding strangers on the Adjournment to-night for the purpose of affording Members only an opportunity of discussing this subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will answer both these questions together. Any such discussion at the present moment would, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government be inopportune and possibly prejudicial to the strategic situation. I trust that it will not be raised. There will be ample opportunity hereafter, at a more convenient time, to debate the matter in all its aspects. Under existing conditions I strongly deprecate it in the highest interests of the country.
§ Sir R. COOPERArising out of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman may I ask him whether he would personally consider the desirability of allowing Members to have an opportunity, if they so desire, to submit express proposals for consideration for the purpose of assisting the immediate position?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, certainly; I shall be most delighted to receive them.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe Prime Minister's answer does not cover the question. Would it be desirable to answer the point, as to this message having been passed by the Censor here or in France?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe statement was censored at General Headquarters in France.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYAnd did not come before the Press Bureau here?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir, that is so; it never went before the Censor here.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThank you, that is the point I want.
§ Mr. ANDERSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the grievances alleged by the London tramway workers and the serious inconvenience of a strike, he is prepared to offer the services of the Industrial Commissioners as a means of arbitrating between the contending parties?
Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot at the moment say more than that the Board of Trade are in communication with the parties with a view to a satisfactory settlement of this unfortunate dispute.