HC Deb 25 October 1932 vol 269 cc813-4
47. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Prime Minister in view of the public importance of both the question of the means test and the need that all solutions should be made available to the nation, if he will have published the findings and inquiries of the all-party conference which was appointed by the Labour Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

These discussions were confidential and did not result in any agreed conclusions. There are, therefore, no documents that can properly be published.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is it not a fact that at least one Member of His Majesty's Government declared that he had no objection to the publication of all the evidence that had ben examined; and, having regard to the need for clarity in this matter should not all the relevant documents be published, in order that the House may have full knowledge of them, and in view of the fact that there may be, between the two great parties in the State, some agreement on this question?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should like very much to establish agreement between the two great parties, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree with me that it would establish a very objectionable practice, even though it had the support of one member of the committee, to publish these matters.