§ 54. Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the importance of the Conference now being held in London to discuss the Turkish counter-proposals for a Near East peace and the grave issues involved in these discussions. His Majesty's Government will reconsider its decision to conduct the deliberations of the Conference in secrecy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERInasmuch as the Conference in London is one of Allied experts who have assembled in order to discuss in a preliminary and informal way the counter-proposals put forward by the Turks, the very worst step that could be taken in the interests of settlement would be to give premature publicity to their proceedings. This was the unanimous view of the assembled delegates.
§ Mr. BUXTONIs it not a fact that the French Government has intimated its opinion that the Press should be admitted to the Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not heard of that.