The Select Committee of the House of Commons, in its
report on the " Sandys case " issued on Wednesday, appears to have satisfied itself that " misunderstanding " was the main cause of the trouble. Misunderstanding led Captain Hogan to reveal secret information to Mr. Sandys ; mis- understanding was the result of the interview between Lord Gort and Major-General Sir Frederick Pile, misunderstanding accounts for Mr. Hore-Belisha's and Mr. Sandys' conflicting account of the interview they had with each other, and at the outset of the case an element of misunderstanding was introduced by Mr. Sandys himself. So much misunder- standing in so short a time is hardly likely to increase general respect for the intelligence of the country's legislators, soldiers, and Ministers. But it is gratifying at least that the report can find no criticism to make of the Prime Minister's conduct ; indeed, it appears that the blame, if any, is to be shared by Mr. Hore-Belisha, for taking the Attorney- General's advice instead of the Prime Minister's, and the Attorney-General himself for discussing at the same interview with Mr. Sandys the desirability of his giving information and the possible use of the Official Secrets Act against him. The enquiry will have fully justified itself if it makes Ministers in future more wary about using the powers with which they are entrusted,
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