§ 35. Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish the Weeks Report on War Office Building, together with a report on the results achieved since the adoption of its recommendations.
§ Mr. BoydenDoes not the Undersecretary realise that with the changeover of the works services organisation from his Department to the new Ministry, the implications of the Weeks Report and the way the change-over was carried out, the matter is of the greatest importance to this House so that hon. Members and the public can judge how effective is the new organisation? Has the War Office anything to hide, because before the Estimates Committee on 14th May several complimentary remarks were made about the works services organisation? What, therefore, is to be hidden, and why?
§ Mr. RamsdenThe answer contains a simple point. It is that it would be con- 1334 trary to the normal practice to publish a Departmental report of this character. That is the widespread practice of Government Departments. There is nothing whatever to hide.
§ Mr. C. PannellAs one who has read the Weeks Report, may I ask the Minister whether he has read it and why, from his own reading of it rather than on the say-so of somebody in a Government Department, the Report should not be placed in the Library? Is he aware that I had some difficulty when I wanted to read it in connection with certain responsibilities concerning this side of the House? His predecessor made no difficulty about giving it to me to read and since there is nothing in the Report which makes it confidential from the point of view of hon. Members, should it not be placed in the Library?
§ Mr. RamsdenIt is a question of Departmental practice. If we are to have reports of this character written freely and frankly for Departmental use it is a wise practice to abstain from publication.