§ 13. Mr. Christopher Shawcrossasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes now to make available for public use the Admiralty geographical handbooks produced during the war by the Naval Intelligence Division in collaboration with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and if he will take steps to see that the series is completed so that every country will be covered by these works.
Mr. AlexanderThese books are available for public use in the sense that their issue includes certain institutions, organisations, and individuals, who can use them to the public advantage. The question of sale to the general public is under consideration. As to the second part of the Question, the series was produced to meet the requirements of the Services, and the scope was limited to what was essential for this purpose.
§ Mr. ShawcrossIs my right hon. Friend aware that very large sums of money were spent and an immense amount of physical effort made by the university members 1258 concerned in the production of this series which will be largely thrown away unless the series is completed and made available to the public?