§ 24 and 25. Mr. ROBERT YOUNGasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether any person has been held responsible for the compilation of the document (referred to in the book entitled "As Others see Us"), which was produced in an affidavit of documents by the authoress, and which the Army Council, on 25th August, 1925. offered to recall; if so, what disciplinary action, if any, has been taken to obviate a similar occurrence in the future; and whether any inquiry was held concerning the matter of private and confidential communications being published in the book referred to;
(2) whether the book entitled "As Others see Us," written anonymously by a lady, and now withdrawn from publication, in which accusations and statements concerning an officer who held the position of Commandant, Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, during part of 1920 and 1921, was written and published with the consent or approval of any Government Department; and, if not, will he explain how the quoted documents some of which were secret and confidential, got into the hands of a private citizen in their original form?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe book referred to was not published with the knowledge, consent or approval of any Government Department, nor so far as I know did it contain any quotation from any secret or confidential document. The document stated in the question to have been disclosed in an affidavit of documents has already been the subject of correspondence with the officer concerned, and the course indicated in the Army Council letter of 25th August, 1925, has accordingly been taken, but without result, as inquiry has elicited that no copies of such document can be discovered as existing in any other Government office. It is regrettable that any such document should have found its way into un- 1011 authorized hands, but I cannot, on behalf of the War Office, admit any responsibility therefor. Every possible precaution is taken for safeguarding secret or confidential documents.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt was the document to which the right hon. Gentleman referred in his question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of the fact that an old soldier who served in the Army for many years is involved, will the Secretary of State for War institute inquiries as to how this document got into unauthorised hands, and try to trace the responsibility?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI know nothing about the document, and I do not know where I can commence to inquire.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it would be impossible to compile these records without official documents of importance, and that there must have been a leakage somewhere? Is it not due at least to the honour of the War Office that an inquiry should be made?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat is a matter for argument, and it is very difficult to deal with it in answer to a question. I do not really know how this document got out or through what agency, and I do not know where to begin inquiries.
§ Mr. YOUNGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the authoress of this book had a relative working in the propaganda department in Dublin Castle, and will he state whether any inquiry was made as to whether he was responsible?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo such inquiry has been made. All this took place some time prior to 1921, and, as the hon. Gentleman will realise, it is extremely difficult to pursue any inquiry that would be of any use.
§ Mr. J. HUDSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not know now that there is a place where he can begin his inquiries, after the hint which has just been given by my hon. Friend.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI authorised hands, but I cannot, on behalf do not think that such an inquiry would of the War Office, admit any responsibility be in the least fruitful.