72. Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider his decision not to publish the replies of the various Departments to the Cabinet letter of 20th November last as to the cutting down of their expenditure?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. Reports of this character made for the information of the Cabinet must be treated as confidential if they are to preserve their utility.
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAs the letter of the Cabinet to the Departments was published, why are the replies not published?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINBecause two wrongs do not make a right. The letter to the Departments ought never to have been published. It was given for publication by some breach of confidence.