§ 50. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will publish the Report of General Sir Hubert Gough on the situation in the Baltic States and North-Western Russia?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think that it would be in the public interest to publish these or similar despatches.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not a fact that this general (who did such valuable service elsewhere) has reported in an adverse sense on a great deal of the public criticism which we are asked to believe is true, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would inform public opinion if the evidence of this general were published, so that the public could draw their own conclusions?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Gentleman must not assume that I agree with his first statement, but I think the House will agree that it would be an impossible position if generals or other people sent by the Cabinet to get information were to have the private information given to us made public.
§ Mr. HOGGEI quite agree, but, on the other hand, is my right hon. Friend not aware of the amount of information which has been given on both sides—because it is very difficult to get accurate information of any sort—has been such that the public has drawn false and wrong impressions, and when the Cabinet sends a distinguished general on a mission of this kind, will the right hon. Gentleman not give us the benefit of that precise information, so that we can form sane conclusions?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere has certainly been a great deal of erroneous informa- 1608 tion, but what I said before must apply. It is quite impossible for despatches of that kind to be made public; but in debate, the general result of the information we have received was given to the House.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIn connection with the lack of information, would the right hon. Gentleman consider the publication of other Reports in continuance of the White Paper published a few months ago about the position in Russia?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI will consider that with the Foreign Secretary.