HL Deb 19 April 1967 vol 282 cc189-90

2.42 p.m.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to publish the Report on Service Colleges submitted to the Ministry of Defence by Professor Michael Howard and Mr. Cyril English.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, it is not proposed to publish the Report on Service Colleges by Professor Michael Howard and Mr. Cyril English. We are now engaged in detailed study of the new syllabi, curricula and organisational changes that will be required, and this is naturally a lengthy business. We are conscious that everyone concerned—and particularly headmasters who are called on to advise sixth-formers about Service careers—will be anxious to know of the new arrangements as soon as possible. We are considering how these can be most wisely and effectively publicised when they have all been decided.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, was it a Cabinet decision that the plural of "syllabus" is "syllabi"?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I think it is the decision of the Roman language that the plural of "syllabus" is "syllabi".

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, while I hate to intrude between my noble friend and the noble Lord, may I thank the noble Lord for the courtesy of his reply, although expressing some surprise as to its contents. Can he tell us why it is not proposed to publish this Report? The noble Lord will recall that his ministerial colleagues have told us on numerous occasions that they proposed to give far fuller information on matters of defence than the previous Conservative Administration had done; and if this applies to matters of heavy defence content, it applies even more to the questions with which this Report presumably deals.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, this was a personal Report to the Secretary of State for Defence. It would be quite contrary to the normal practice—and the noble Earl, whose record we all know, is well aware of normal practice—for it to be published.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, in that case is it not extraordinary that at least one of the authors of the Report expected it to be published?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am afraid that Her Majesty's Government are not responsible for the expectations of authors of reports.