§ 47. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the text of the letter addressed by General Franco to him, in November; and his reply.
§ Mr. AttleeNo, Sir. It would be contrary to established usage to make these confidential exchanges public.
§ Mr. StraussUnless this correspondence contains matters affecting security, is not such correspondence between heads of States a matter of public concern and interest and cannot my right hon. Friend, therefore, publish these documents?
§ Mr. AttleeThe Prime Minister is not head of the State, and it is not the practice to publish these communications.
§ Mr. PrittWhy is the Press allowed to publish apparently authoritative and inspired versions of some of the things in some of the letters, and, in these circumstances, is it not better that this great nation should know the truth of what they are up against, and be allowed to see the documents?
§ Mr. AttleeI am not responsible for the Press.