§ 63. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that speakers employed by the War Aims Committee refuse to answer any question addressed to them from the audience and state that in doing so they are acting under instructions; and will he take steps to have this embargo removed, so that full advantage may be taken of the knowledge possessed by these persons and their mission be made more fully effective?
Captain GUEST (Joint Parliamentary. Secretary to the Treasury)The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. War aims speakers are, and have been, always ready to reply as far as they are able to questions relating to War aims. The War Aims Committee has, however, requested their speakers not to enter into discussion upon any subject of a controversial and partisan character.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEMay I ask if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give instructions to the speakers that they are not to hide their own ignorance by making the statement that they are forbidden to answer questions?