HC Deb 27 October 1920 vol 133 cc1716-7
19. Viscount CURZON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the official account of the battle of Jutland will be published?

Sir J. CRAIG

It is not now proposed to publish an official account of the Battle of Jutland. Since the original intention to do so was announced and the compilation of the record begun, a mass of information has been accumulated from unofficial German sources which throws considerable light on the progress of the Battle from a new angle, and the conclusion has been reached that any record based on British official evidence only, would inevitably present a one-sided version, tending to distort the true facts and create a wrong impression of the battle as a whole. Moreover, Sir Julian Corbett's Naval History of the War, in course of publication under the authority of the Committee of Imperial Defence, whose volume includes Jutland, is likely to be published in the course of next year, and the publishers have made representations that they would have strong reason to complain of the simultaneous publication by the Admiralty of any such narrative. However, all the material prepared by the Admiralty will be placed at Sir Julian Corbett's disposal, which will expedite his publication.

Viscount CURZON

May I ask if that answer will not undoubtedly give rise to the idea that the Admiralty have something to hush up, and would it not be much better to give a full account, if accounts differ, from all sources, and all the information which is at the disposal of the Admiralty?

Sir J. CRAIG

It is made clear in the last paragraph of the answer that all the material prepared by the Admiralty will be placed at Sir Julian Corbett's disposal.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is there any truth in the rumour that the delay in publication is due to any difference between Lord Beatty and Lord Jellicoe?

Sir J. CRAIG

No, Sir, there is not the slightest foundation for any such rumour, because I happen to know that both gallant Admirals have seen the report and have acqiuiesced in that report being handed to Sir Julian Corbett for incorporation in his work.

Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNE

May I ask whether Sir Julian Corbett's account will in any way be censored by the Admiralty before publication?

Sir J. CRAIG

I should like notice of that question.