HC Deb 22 December 1937 vol 330 cc1965-6
49. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the report of the Falmouth Committee?

The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)

The report is still under examination. Consideration is being given to the possibility of publishing as a Parliamentary Paper the substance of the report in such a way as not to disclose confidential information contained in the report.

52. Mr. Edwards

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the names of the witnesses who were asked to give evidence before the Falmouth Committee; who suggested themselves; and who, in fact, did give evidence?

Sir T. Inskip

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 1st December in answer to a similar question.

Mr. Edwards

As the answer to which the right hon. Gentleman refers me did not say anything, can we not have an undertaking now that when the report is published this information will be given?

Sir T. Inskip

No, I can give no promise that I shall be able to disclose the names of the witnesses who asked to give evidence or who in fact did give evidence.

Mr. Herbert Morrison

Is there any reason why the names of witnesses, as asked by my hon. Friend, should not be given?

Sir T. Inskip

As I have said to the hon. Member, the report is still under consideration, and in the answer to which I have referred I said that I was not in a position to answer questions about the evidence except in connection with the question of publication. The position at present is that I cannot give a definite answer or an undertaking such as that asked for by the hon. Member.

Mr. Leach

In view of the enormous numbers of matters under consideration, does the right hon. Gentleman not fear for his sanity?

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