HC Deb 08 June 1943 vol 390 c524
36. Commander King-Hall

asked the Secretary of State for War how many permanent libraries, other than small collections of books with field forces, are under the control of his Department; and how many of such libraries are kept regularly supplied with bound copies of Hansard?

Sir J. Grigg

There are 1,190 permanent libraries in the Army and the Royal Air Force at home and abroad. The answer to the last part of the Question is "None, Sir."

Commander King-Hall

Would not my right hon. Friend at least see that bound copies or daily copies of the Proceedings of this House are supplied to the larger libraries of the Forces? I can supply my right hon. Friend with evidence that there is a great demand in the Army to read them. Will he appeal to Members to send their spare copies to him so that they can be distributed?

Sir J. Grigg

I will certainly consider that, but my attitude is, roughly, the same as that of the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not hard enough to have to fight for the country without having to read Hansard?