HC Deb 17 April 1951 vol 486 cc1658-9
43. Mr. Henry Hopkinson

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to ensure that the copies of HANSARD supplied by his Department to units in the British Army of the Rhine arrive sufficiently quickly to enable them to be of topical interest.

Mr. Strachey

Copies of HANSARD arrive at Headquarters, British Army of the Rhine, five days after publication, and distribution to all lower formations is completed within the next nine days. The possibility of accelerating distribution within Germany is being investigated.

Mr. Hopkinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases to my knowledge of HANSARD not arriving for two or three weeks, and considering the fact that the daily newspapers arrive by air the next day, cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to ensure HANSARD gets there in good time?

Mr. Strachey

I think the arrival in Germany in five days is reasonable, but I agree that the delay in distribution to the lower formations is wrong, and, as I indicated in my answer, we will try to cut that down.

Mr. Sandys

Is the delay affecting the morale of the Army?

Mr. Strachey

No. I am glad of the interest which appears to be taken in our proceedings.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the men want these copies of HANSARD to be sent to them?

Mr. Strachey

I do not think there is anything compulsory about it.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Cameron Highlanders will be interested to get today's HANSARD?