20. Mr. Astorasked the Minister of Information when he intends to publish the booklet on British Civil Administration in Italian East Africa?
§ Mr. BrackenWe hope to publish this booklet in the early summer.
Mr. AstorIn view of the fact that on 29th July the Parliamentary Secretary said that it would be published without any avoidable delay and as quickly as possible, will the right hon. Gentleman produce a glossary of the meaning of words used by his Ministry?
§ Mr. BrackenI would also like to make a glossary of the sentence just expressed by the hon. Gentleman, but all I can tell him is that, if he could realise the shortage of printers and the lack of means of production in London, he would understand that it is not possible, unless the Government alter their policy about labour, to produce pamphlets as quickly as he expects.
Mr. AstorIf the expression "as quickly as possible" means the delay of a year, would it not be more honest towards the House if the right hon. Gentleman would say so frankly at the time and not raise false expectations?
§ Mr. BrackenI do not know what my hon. Friend means by criticising my colleague the Parliamentary Secretary as saying that he would produce it "as quickly as possible." That is the situation. Some of these books take not a year but a year and a half to produce. When the hon. Member understands the printing conditions here in London, he will realise that everything possible is done to speed up publication.
Viscountess AstorIf that is the situation, how was it that we have been getting hundreds upon hundreds of pamphlets about the Education Bill?
§ Mr. BrackenI am not responsible for the issuing of those pamphlets, but I am surprised that the Noble Lady should object to pamphlets on the Education Bill.