HC Deb 07 November 1940 vol 365 c1448
Captain W. T. Shaw

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether you will explain the delay in the publication of the Report of the Committee of Privileges which dealt with the case of the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles and Southern (Captain Ramsay)?

Mr. Speaker

In reply to the hon. and gallant Member, there has been no avoidable delay in the publication of the report referred to. The Committee decided to publish their report and the minutes of evidence taken before them simultaneously, instead of publishing the report and then, after a considerable interval, the evidence. This involved holding back the report until the evidence could be passed for the Press. It is expected that publication will take place on or about the 14th of this month. The report was prepared on 9th October, and the interval will be, therefore, rather over a month. In similar circumstances in 1938 the report of the Official Secrets Act Committee was agreed to by the Committee on 5th August, but not published until 18th October. Therefore, the hon. and gallant Member will see that the interval in the present case is much shorter.

Captain Shaw

Was not the House in Recess when the report to which you refer was made?

Mr. Speaker

That does not affect the printing.