§ 45. Mr. Granvilleasked the Prime Minister if he will consider making a statement on the progress of operations at Cassino and other Italian fronts.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; not at present.
§ Mr. GranvilleDoes the Prime Minister consider it satisfactory that, despite his telegram, critical reports are still coming in from war correspondents in Italy, while, at the same time, no authoritative statement is made by His Majesty's Government in the House of Commons as to the progress of the operations?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps there might not be sufficient progress of operations for any statement to be made by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. GranvilleWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind what he said on Sunday, that the British people can take 1243 it, and that the public want to be told about our setbacks as well as about our success?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the public are not denied a clear view of the conditions which exist in Italy. I do not think there is any advantage in going into all the details, as that would be very helpful to the enemy. I certainly have not concealed my disappointment that progress has not been quicker. I hope that that admission will give satisfaction to the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. PetherickIs it not very undesirable to make statements one way or the other about difficult operations which are still in progress?