§ 57. Mr. J. BECKETTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the personnel of the Government Commission which was sent to the German factory for fixation of nitrogen?
Mr. GUINNESSI regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 7th April.
§ desired. The complaint is usually the other way.
§ Mr. HARDIEIt is not a question of quantity. It is totals for which I ask.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Mr. BECKETTIn view of the fact that ex-Members of this Commission are taking part in newspaper correspondence upon the matter, would it not be as well to publish the names?
Mr. GUINNESSIt is entirely contrary to precedent to give the names of members of these Commissions, because the members go out, not as individuals, but as representatives of the Government, and they are entitled to the same protection as civil servants in remaining anonymous in connection with these functions, for which the Government are responsible.
§ Mr. HARRISAre we to understand that members of Commissions have no right to use information for newspaper articles or otherwise?
Mr. GUINNESSI have not seen the newspaper passages to which the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Beckett) referred.
§ Mr. BECKETTThe passage referred to is the letter to the Press Association by Lieut.-Colonel Pollitt.