HC Deb 11 July 1918 vol 108 cc512-3W
Sir JOHN BARRAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the recall of the Home Secretary from The Hague was by a collective decision of the War Cabinet; if not, by whom it was decided on; who sent the telegram recalling him, and what members of the War Cabinet saw it beforehand; and whether it is the view of the War Cabinet that the consideration of the Report of the Select Committee on Aliens is a more "important national object than the securing of favourable terms for the release of British prisoners of war?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The telegram was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the request of the War Cabinet. As regards the last part of the question, in view of the stage which the negotiations at The Hague had reached, it was considered that it was in the public interest that the Home Secretary should return.