HC Deb 27 October 1943 vol 393 cc157-8
2. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of publishing a Blue Book containing diplomatic documents dealing with relations with Germany before 22nd August, 1939, in view of the fact that information with regard to this period is now only accessible in publications by foreign Governments?

Mr. Law

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Lewisham (Sir A. Pownall) on 13th October.

Mr. Mander

Is it not rather an unsatisfactory position that we should be dependent upon the publications of a foreign Government dealing with these events, and could we not have one of our own?

Mr. Law

We certainly shall have one of our own in due course, but this question raises issues of very considerable importance, and they have to be considered very carefully.

Mr. McGovern

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the number of statements that have been made in the various countries, he could not consider publishing the whole of the documents in relation to this matter, because there are many suspicions regarding the intentions of the various Governments?

Mr. Law

Yes, Sir, it is being considered.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind what happened after the last war, when public opinion towards Germany was coloured by the fact that information came mainly from German sources?