§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the desire expressed and the permission given by the owners to him that the notes of the joint Conference which took place at the Foreign Office shall be published, he will use his influence with the men's representatives to obtain their early consent to such publication, so that the notes above-mentioned may be printed and made available for the use of Members of this House with the least possible delay?
§ Mr. McKENNAOn further careful consideration I see a distinct disadvantage in the publication of the proceedings of the recent Conferences. We have shorthand notes of some of the Conferences only. These would form, therefore, an incomplete record of what actually took place. Moreover, the joint and separate Conferences were begun and carried forward on the understanding that full and free discussion between the various parties interested would take place. I think further that the publication of proceedings such as these would constitute an unwise precedent, which might prove very detrimental to conciliation proceedings in the future.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONIs the Home Secretary aware that these Reports have been read by many other persons than those who were present at the Conference, and that, therefore, Members of this House are at a disadvantage?
§ Mr. McKENNAI was not aware of that.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONIt is so.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEIs there any foundation for the inference in the question that it is the men's representatives who have prevented the publication of these Reports?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. I am not aware of that.