HC Deb 23 July 1929 vol 230 c1074
45. Major NATHAN

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the final Report of the Dardanelles Commission [Cmd. 371] was made in December, 1917, and that the evidence given before that commission has not been published; and whether he will now cause it to be published?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald)

I am not prepared to reverse the decision of my predecessors against publication at the present time. The evidence given orally before the Commission is contained in 1687 printed pages, comprising over 1,600,000 words, and the statements are equally voluminous. Before it could be published, the evidence would have to be scrutinised in Government Departments. In view of the positive assurance given to Parliament and to the Nation that in the body of the Commission's report nothing material has been omitted which can in any way throw a light either on what occurred or on the responsibility resting on the several individuals or departments concerned. I do not consider that the expense and labour involved in publication would be justified.