§ 4. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Paymaster-General the purpose of sending a member of his reconstruction committee to the United States of America to inform officials there what is now being planned for Britain before his committee's proposals have been submitted to Parliament and approved?
§ The Paymaster-General (Sir William Jowitt)My hon. Friend doubtless has in mind a statement which appeared recently in a Sunday newspaper. This was a misleading reference to a visit which a woman member of my staff will shortly be paying to the United States. I was asked by the Ministry of Information to allow her to go in order that she might accept an invitation to fulfil certain engagements. I consented as I thought it would be useful for her to take the opportunity of studying the work they are doing on Reconstruction problems.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisIn view of the importance of the work which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has in hand, will it be possible for an interim report to be made upon the investigations already taken, on post-war reconstruction?
§ Sir W. JowittThat is a wholly different matter, and I think the hon. Gentleman had better put down a Question.
Mr. DavidsonIs it understood that this member of the Department will make no statement in America at all with regard to future planning in this country?
§ Sir W. JowittNo statement as to any definite plan, certainly.