§ 12.30 p.m.
§ LORD SOUTHWOODMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they propose to secure permission to publish in full at an early date the American Coal Mission's report on the coal-mining industry in this country; and, if not, will they supply the reasons for not so doing.]
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREAs my right honourable friend has stated in another place, the report of the United States Coal Commission to the Combined Production and Resources Board has not been published either here or in the United States but a summary of the main findings of the report was issued as an official release to the Press in both countries on the 23rd August. Full consideration was given to the proposal to publish this report but the Government have decided not to do so because much of the information contained in it was made available on the understanding that it would not be published. Furthermore it would be undesirable to set a precedent of publishing confidential joint reports to the Combined Productions and Resources Board.