§ 51. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister how many of the Peace Handbooks which were prepared for and used by the Peace Conference, and which deal with the history, geography, and the political and economic conditions of the countries affected by the Peace Conference, have now been published, and how many more will be published; how and where and at what price those books can be procured; and what steps are being taken by the Government to inform the public that such books are in existence and are procurable?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The series of Peace Handbooks consists of about 160 separate handbooks, forming 25 volumes. 120 handbooks have already been published; the others are rapidly being issued from the Press. Review copies of the handbooks are sent to the Press, as and when the parts are issued, and many notices concerning them have appeared in the newspapers. Particulars of the series are also given in the various catalogues issued by the Stationery Office monthly, quarterly, and annually. These catalogues are distributed to the trade and to likely purchasers.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHas any information been given to Members of the House as to when and how these Peace Conference books are to be purchased by them?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI do not know of any better method than this.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas the hon. Gentleman any reason to think that any of these handbooks were read by the Peace Conference?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHOh, yes; and I hope they will be read by the general public too.