§ 46. Mr. Stokesasked the Prime Minister whether the decision to reinforce Hong Kong, shortly before its fall was recommended by his military advisers; and how long it was anticipated that such reinforcements would enable Hong Kong to hold out?
§ Mr. AttleeHis Majesty's Government have no further statement to make on this matter at the present time.
§ Mr. StokesAre the Government likely to receive a copy of the report by the Lord Chief justice of Canada to the Canadian Parliament on Hong Kong, and will they study it?
§ Mr. AttleeThere is a later Question on that subject.
§ 48. Mr. Stokesasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the report of the Chief Justice of Canada, made to the Canadian House of Commons, on the organisation, authorisation and despatch of the Canadian Expeditionary Force to Hong Kong; and why permission to reproduce the telegram inviting the Canadian Government to send reinforcements to Hong Kong was refused by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. AttleeYes, Sir. As regards the second part of the Question, it was felt by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom that publication of the document in question would be contrary to the public interest at the present time.
§ Mr. StokesAre we to understand then that it is the Government's view that the Chief Justice of Canada would make a request to publish a document which it would not be in the public interest to publish?
§ Mr. AttleeI have answered as to the reason given.
§ Mr. StokesThen you impugn the discretion of the Chief Justice of Canada.