HC Deb 21 February 1940 vol 357 c1316
2. Mr. Ede

asked the Prime Minister when the White Paper dealing with the negotiations during 1939 between His Majesty's Government and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will be published; and what is the reason for the delay in the publication?

5. Mr. Mander asked

the Prime Minister whether he is now able to state when the White Paper containing an account of the Anglo-Russian negotiations promised before the Christmas Adjournment will be published?

Mr. Butler

The negotiations at Moscow were conducted jointly with the French Government, with whom His Majesty's Government have been in consultation on the subject of the issue of this collection of documents. I am not in a position to name any date for publication.

Mr. Mander

In view of the fact that a definite promise was given before Christmas that this White Paper was to be published, can the right hon. Gentleman say what is holding it up and whether the statement is to be a full and accurate account of everything that took place during the negotiations?

Mr. Butler

I cannot go beyond what I have said. I said that we were in consultation with the French Government and that consultation accounts for the delay. I cannot give a definite date.

Mr. Ede

Were the French Government consulted with regard to the pledge that the documents were to be published during the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Butler

In all matters which affects the French Government we are always in consultation with them.

Mr. Mander

Owing to the wholly unsatisfactory nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.