CABINET SECRETS

Southland Times, Issue 21897, 24 December 1932, Page 5

CABINET SECRETS

PARTIAL DISCLOSURES THREAT BY MR LLOYD GEORGE FULL PUBLICATION (United Presf Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, December 22. In the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George reverted to Cabinet secrets and threatened that if partial disclosures were again given, as was the case last week, he would unhesitatingly take the responsibility of publishing the whole transactions. If sent to gaol he would have good company in Sir Robert Horne and two or three other Ministers. Lord Hailsham, replying to the discussion in the House of Lords on the disclosure of Cabinet secrets, said he would have an inquiry made into the specific cases mentioned in connection with the House of Commons, but said fie would not refer further to them at present, because he would be dealing with gentlemen holding high positions of State,

Mr Lloyd George, at the outset of the debate in the House of Commons on war debts last week, caused a sensation by advancing to the table with a dossier of papers, which he admitted were notes of the Cabinet on the debts question in the days of the Coalition. He admitted that he was not entitled to publish the papers without the consent of the Prime Minister, who would have to consult his Majesty, though he thought it would serve the public purpose. . . There was a series of interjections ana cries of “That is unfair” when he declared that Sir Robert Horne and Sir Austen Chamberlain dissented from the Balfour Note. Both .insisted that they only opposed the Note going to European Powers when it was really directed to the United States. Mr Lloyd George: This only makes it imperative that the papers be published. _ , , . n Sir Robert Horne: I have no objecUl °Mr Lloyd George next appealed to Mr Baldwin, as Leader of the House, who said he had no-objection to publication. It was later announced that publication would not be permitted.