HC Deb 24 February 1916 vol 80 cc814-5
46. Mr. LLEWELYN WILLIAMS

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability in the public interest of issuing from time to time official Reports reviewing the history, position, and prospects of the various British Expeditions in France and elsewhere; and whether, having regard to the contradictory estimates of irresponsible military critics, the military authorities will follow the example of the French and publish at intervals a carefully and scientifically compiled estimate of the losses sustained by the enemy?

The PRIME MINISTER

In reply to the first part of the question, it is proposed to issue shortly the first of a series of descriptive accounts of past events written up from Official Records, as these become available for the purpose. It would clearly not conduce to the success of the various Expeditions to make public their actual position from time to time in greater detail than is done at present. In reply to the last part of the question, it is not thought desirable to issue any such official estimate of the enemy's losses.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my right hem. Friend say whether the Reports will be on a commercial basis, or as a Parliamentary Paper?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot tell.