§ 41. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that the official account of the battle of Jutland will be included in the Naval History of the War as it stands without any alteration, amendments, or omissions, other than the addition of any facts which may transpire from official or unofficial German sources; can he state what 43 particular interest the publishers have as to how or when the Naval History of the War is published; and whether the costs of publication are a charge upon any Vote, and, if so, which?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt may be assumed that Sir Julian Corbett will wish to make the fullest possible use of the material compiled by the Admiralty, but he has not yet had an opportunity of examining it thoroughly, and I am averse from giving any assurance that might interfere with his independence as an historian. The publishers' interest is that the history is published at their expense. The cost of publishing is not, therefore, a charge on any Vote, but the preparation of the history is a charge on the Treasury Vote for the Committee of Imperial Defence, to whom Sir Julian Corbett is responsible as author.
§ Viscount CURZONMay I ask whether that answer really means that Sir Julian Corbett has the power, if he wishes, to censor this account, or whether it will be given to the nation and to the world as it stands?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is not a question of censorship. Sir Julian Corbett is in the position of a historian of these events, and he has a responsibility, as such, to examine the evidence. There is nothing beyond that.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay I ask why it is that the Admiralty have gone back on their decision to publish the official report of this Battle of Jutland, which is a most important thing to have, and whether we cannot have now an official statement or report regarding this battle, which is so important, and which the British public have a right to demand?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI know that this is a highly controversial topic, and therefore I must be very careful what I say, but I am not sure that it is desirable that there should be a separate account of this particular battle. Sir Julian Corbett, I understand, is writing the official account of the War from the Admiralty point of view, and, naturally, he will be writing the official account of the Battle of Jutland as well.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs Sir Julian Corbett, therefore, to be the referee in this 44 matter? Is he deciding what shall be put into the history as regards the battle of Jutland? Cannot we have from the Admiralty its official and impartial account of this battle?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is very difficult to get an official and impartial account, having regard to the conditions, but, as far as the Government are concerned, they certainly have no objection, if the House desires it, to publish all the reports and despatches that there may be on that subject, and leave it to the public to judge. They certainly have no official view on the subject.
§ Mr. J. H. THOMASIn view of that statement, would it not be better that these documents should be published, and that any official account should be left to individuals, as distinguished from the Government?
§ Mr. MILLSIs it not a fact that there is a German version of the battle of Jutland already in existence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERUndoubtedly they also have their views, and I believe they have already published them; but I will consider the suggestion.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERMay I ask whether the publishers of this book have any right to object to the official publication by the Admiralty of their account?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; they certainly have absolutely no right, as far as the Government is concerned. If the House of Commons wishes for publication of documents of that kind, no publishers' rights would stand in the way.