§ Mr. PRINGLEasked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet has decided to publish the final Report of the Dardanelles Commission; and, if so, when it will be issued?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe War Cabinet, after most careful consideration, and acting on the advice of the General Staffs, military and naval, have decided that it is not in the public interest that this Report should be published for the present.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this Report must be published in accordance with the express terms of the Act of Parliament? Is it proposed to amend the Act of Parliament?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; we do not propose to amend the Act of Parliament. The Act of Parliament says that the Government must have the responsibility of deciding whether or not such publication would give information to the enemy. We have decided that it would.
§ Sir TUDOR WALTERSThe motto of a late Government was "Wait and see." Is it the case that the motto of the present Government is "Wait and not see"?
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the decision been arrived at solely from strategical considerations, and in the public interest, or in deference to the possible effect that the publication of this Report might have upon the fortunes of certain members of the War Cabinet, and certain members of the Naval Staff?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is a perfectly legitimate question if my hon. Friend thinks it possible to conceive a case of that kind—
§ Mr. PRINGLEIt is!
§ Mr. BONAR LAWBut that has not influenced us in the least. We have taken our decision in consequence of the statement of the Naval and Military Staffs that, in their opinion, the publication of this Report now will give invaluable information to the enemy.