§ Major Markhamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his reasons for advising against the publication of damage done to the buildings and collections of national museums and art galleries during the present war.
§ Mr. PeakeThe governing considerations in deciding whether information of this kind can be published are whether the information is likely to be of use to the enemy and whether its publication would serve a useful public purpose. I am advised that the publication of a complete list of the National Museums and Art Galleries which have been damaged might be of assistance to the enemy, and, on the other hand, I am not aware of any public interest that would be served by the publication of this information at the present time. I hope, therefore, that my hon. and gallant Friend will not press for the publication of the particulars for which he has asked.