§ 5. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the general staff of the Army no longer obtains information from military attachés, in foreign countries regarding the strength, equipment, etc., of foreign armies, but depend upon the League of Nations' armaments year book for figures on which to make calculations of comparative strengths, he will say whether the Secretary of State and the Army Council accept full responsibility for all military information contained in that publication?
§ Mr. SHAWThe League of Nations' armaments year book is compiled by the Secretariat of the League from official or semi-official publications, a list of which is given at the end of the book. The Army Council can obviously accept 1035 no responsibility for the information published, though they have no reason to doubt its substantial accuracy.
§ Major GLYNWill the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether there is any precedent for Ministers referring hon. Members to books for which they accept no responsibility?
§ Mr. SHAWI do not know whether there is any precedent or not. Frankly, I do not care, provided my answers helps the hon. and gallant Gentleman to get the information that he desires.
§ Major GLYNI am not satisfied that everything contained in the League of Nations Year Book—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"] Does the right hon. Gentleman think that I can be satisfied with everything that appears in the League of Nations Year Book?