§ 45. Sir CHARLES OMANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that important official documents, taken away from their offices by former Ministers of State or civil servants, have on several occasions in recent years been offered for sale at auction in London and sold to foreign countries; and whether he is able to suggest some means by which the State should resume possession of such papers when they are advertised for auction or otherwise reported to be leaving the country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Prime Minister asked me to answer this question. The Prime Minister has no information of the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, but will gladly make inquiry if my hon. Friend will be good enough to furnish any particulars which he may possess.
§ Sir C. OMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this morning's paper there is notice of a sale by auction of the papers of a prominent statesman of the early nineteenth century, in which many official documents are to be found?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will refer my hon. Friend's supplementary question to the Prime Minister.