§ 50. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has any objection to now publishing the Report of the inquiry which was held into the loss of the "Hampshire?"
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Admiralty see no reason to depart from their previous decision not to publish this Report.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWhat considerations of public interest stand in the way of letting the public know the truth of the circumstances under which Lord Kitchener met his death?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI understand that the Reports of Courts of Inquiry are never published. I have not gone fully into the question, but perhaps my hon. Friend will ask the Admiralty what is the objection to publishing it.
§ Sir R. COOPERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement in Lord Jellicoe's book that the "Hampshire" was sent up an unswept channel?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI was not aware of it.
§ Commander BELLAIRSDoes the Government not recognise the unfairness of holding Courts of Inquiry on such matters, the Reports of which are never published?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere are reasons for and against, but I do not profess to be familiar with the subject, which has often been discussed in this House.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs it not the case you can hold courts-martial, and that there is no precedent against publishing what transpires there, whereas the Reports of Courts of Inquiry are never published. Is there not grave reason to think that Courts of Inquiry are not properly held?