§ 5. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the White Paper will be published dealing with the re- 2008 servation to the Optional Clause of matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of the United Kingdom?
Mr. A. HENDERSONAs I informed the right hon. Gentleman on the 11th November, the question is under consideration. He may rest assured that if it is decided to publish a White Paper, it will be done before the Debate takes place.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONDid I not understand from what the right hon. Gentleman said the other day that he was going to publish a White Paper?
§ Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWill the right hon. Gentleman give his favourable consideration to the request? It will greatly facilitate our consideration of the subject, and I think perhaps save time in debate, if we can have this information in good time before the Debate.
Mr. HENDERSONI can assure the right hon. Gentleman that it is having my most sympathetic consideration, and the document is actually in course of preparation, but I must see it first.
§ Mr. THURTLEWhen is it likely that this will be submitted to Parliament for ratification?
§ 11. Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will include in the White Paper, dealing with the signing of the Optional Clause, the opinion of the legal advisers to the Foreign Office as to the interpretation to be placed upon the reservation to the signature of matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of the United Kingdom?
Mr. HENDERSONThe publication of a White Paper is still the subject of consideration, and therefore I cannot give any undertaking as to what such a Paper will contain, but in any case I am not prepared to undertake to publish the opinions of my advisers, which I should regard as a most improper proceeding.