§ Mr. EdenMay I ask the Leader of the House if he can say when the Foreign Secretary will be in a position to make a statement about the recent meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Paris?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has nothing to add at present to the communique which was issued following the conclusion of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, but it is intended to present a White Paper on the proceedings of the Council held recently in Paris.
§ Mr. ChurchillMay I on a cognate subject ask the Lord President whether he could state what is the date of the meeting of the Council of Europe at Strasbourg? We have been told through the usual channels that it was to be on 29th August. A great many Members—18 Members—are now concerned, and all have to make their arrangements. The 29th August is the date officially communicated to us through the Whips' Room.
§ Mr. MorrisonThe right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, of course, that this is a matter of international consultation. I will be quite frank, I was hoping for the same result as the right hon. Gentleman has indicated; but I understand that owing to some complication of other international gatherings, it is probable that the date will be 10th August.
§ Mr. ChurchillWhat date?
§ Mr. MorrisonI understand that probably it will be 10th August. Of course, these are matters which have to be settled by international agreement.
§ Mr. ChurchillIt is very important that we should be given the information at the earliest possible moment. There is much personal inconvenience caused if these dates are changed like this.
§ Mr. MorrisonThe announcement will come from the Preparatory Commission and I understand it is about to make an announcement immediately.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIn view of the fact that the result of the Foreign Ministers conference marks, at any rate to some extent, a very welcome change in international relationships, would it not be desirable for a statement to be made in the House and for the House to be given some opportunity of commenting on it?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is another point. My right hon. Friend will issue his White Paper, and of course Questions can be put down on that if it is desired. But we thought that in view of the fact that the communiqué had been issued, and we had the facts about the situation, the White Paper procedure was the best in the first instance.
§ Mr. EdenI think we understand that the intention is to present the House with a White Paper. I have no doubt that the right hon. Gentleman and the Foreign Secretary would agree that after we have had an opportunity to study it the House will wish to discuss a situation of such considerable importance.
§ Mr. MorrisonI thought it right that the House should have the White Paper first and study it and if there is a general wish for a Debate, that will be considered through the usual channels.
§ Mr. F. Noel-BakerWhen is it expected that the White Paper will be available?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has only just returned. He has given instructions about its drafting forthwith and I do not think there will be much delay. We shall get it properly settled as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. GallacherMay I ask, in regard to this Tory-Labour combination that is going to Europe, whether other hon. Members who are not in this happy arrangement will be given information about what is taking place, so as to let us know how the marriage works out?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe hon. Member is an opponent of Western Union and I am therefore surprised that he should talk about "this happy arrangement." There is no doubt that the hon. Member will, in due course, get reports of what is happening.