§ Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the apparent discrepancy between the statement made by the Secretary of State for War in another place to the effect that Mr. Lovat Fraser's article in the "Daily Mail" of the 21st January was at once submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who intimated that he did not think a prosecution would lie, and the statement made by the Home Secretary in this House on Tuesday last that the Director of Public Prosecutions was considering the matter, and had referred it to the Law Officers for their opinion, and whether any explanation can be given?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am glad to have an opportunity of stating the facts with reference to this matter. I understand that as soon as the article appeared it was referred by the War Office to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who intimated—as my Noble Friend Lord Derby said in another place—that he did not think that a prosecution would lie. Later, on a question relating to the same article being put to me, I consulted the Director of Public Prosecutions, who informed me that as the question had been again raised he desired to give it further consideration and to take the opinion of the Law Officers on the point. The answer given by the Secretary of State for War in another place and the answer which I gave in this House were therefore both correct, and there is in fact no discrepancy.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTDo the Law Officers of the Crown propose to take any action?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think they have yet advised.
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that an article alleging incompetence on the part of the Commander-in-Chief is likely to discourage recruiting?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe Law Officers will no doubt consider that point. They have not yet advised.