§ Captain Pluggeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether statistics of production can still be made available, in confidence, to reputable trade organisations in this country, provided they are not published; and what is the present position with regard to this matter?
Major Lloyd GeorgeResponsible requests for confidential information are considered on their merits in consultation with the Departments interested in the commodity or product concerned. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that it may be necessary to refuse information, even when its intended circulation is limited, on grounds of military or economic strategy.