§ 8. Mr. BETTERTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether handbooks to the number of 160 or thereabouts have been prepared at the public expense for the use of the Foreign 1070 Office, dealing with the commerce, industries, and economic resources of the various countries or parts of countries to which they relate; and whether, in view of the great value to British traders of the information therein contained, he will give directions for the publication of these handbooks forthwith?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)Handbooks to about the number specified in the hon. Member's question have been prepared by the Historical Section of the Foreign Office for the use of the British Delegation at the Peace Conference. Much of the information contained in them is of a confidential nature, and is not confined to the commerce, industries, and economic resources of the various countries, etc., to which they relate. This fact makes it impossible to publish them without considerable revision, but the question of the best form in which the non-confidential information contained in some of them might with advantage be made public will receive consideration.
§ Mr. BETTERTONIn view of the fact that economic information of this character, however accurate, very soon becomes out of date, will my hon. Friend deal with the matter with the least possible delay?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHYes, I am giving the matter my immediate personal attention.