§ 51. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Prime Minister whether he will lay Papers containing the minutes and decisions of the Cairo Conference in March, 1921?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I do not think that there would be any advantage in laying the Papers referred to. The decisions of policy taken as a result of the Cairo Conference were fully explained to the House by representatives of the late Government.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, without knowledge of the grounds on which these decisions are based, the House is not in a position to form an opinion as to the liabilities involved in these decisions. Is it not the case, for example, that the cost of the reconditioning of existing railways, which was estimated for the purposes of the Conference, has never been announced to the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe policy with regard to Iraq, which I take it is what the hon. Member is referring to, will come before the House when the Estimates come up.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not essential that we should know exactly what are our commitments before we come to a decision?
§ Captain BENNWhat is the objection to publishing the Papers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey are very old.