HC Deb 07 March 1935 vol 298 cc2126-7
47. Miss RATHBONE

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the appointment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the private manufacture of and traffic in arms, he will now cause to be published the evidence on which the report of the McKinnon Wood Commission of March 1919 was based?

Mr. BALDWIN

It has not been possible to trace this evidence in the public records, and past members of the committee whom I have been able to consult, have the impression that evidence was given orally only and that no record was taken.

Miss RATHBONE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the McKinnon Wood Commission anticipated the probability that the country might insist on the production of all armaments being confined to Government factories and expressed the view that the disappearance of the larger armament firms would not materially handicap production in the event of a serious war. In view of the important nature of that opinion, will the right hon. Gentleman give special attention to the report, and as far as possible make any evidence of which there is a record known to the public?

Mr. BALDWIN

I have been looking at that report this morning. Their terms of reference were limited to the question of Woolwich Arsenal. The investigation took place within a few weeks of the termination of the war. The circumstances are entirely different to-day, and I can confidently rely on Lord Justice Bankes using whatever evidence he thinks is desirable in the investigations of the committee.