HC Deb 16 October 1941 vol 374 cc1490-1
47. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will place in the Library copies of any instructions issued by him to war agricultural executive committees?

Mr. Hudson

No, Sir. The war agricultural executive committees have been appointed to act as my agents, and any instructions which I issue to them are, in the nature of things, confidential.

Sir J. Mellor

Does any question of security arise in this matter? If not, why should there be any secrecy about these instructions when the committees' decisions affect the personal rights of His Majesty's subjects?

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that power always corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely?

Mr. Hudson

I can only repeat what I told the hon. Member, that the instructions issued are confidential.

Mr. De la Bère

I do not like it.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Cannot the Minister follow the practice of the Services of issuing orders which are marked "Confidential; not for promulgation," while general orders on non-confidential matters are freely circulated?