HC Deb 19 May 1947 vol 437 cc1988-9
12. Mr. Butcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the report of the hon. Members for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick), for North Wembley (Mr. Hobson), and for Lewes (Major Beamish), on the problem of displaced persons in the British zones of Germany and Austria was received; and when it will be published.

Mr. Mayhew

The hon. Members for North Wembley (Mr. Hobson), and Lewes (Major Beamish), reported on 7th March, and the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick), who followed a somewhat different itinerary, reported separately on 17th March. These reports were not written with a view to publication.

Mr. Butcher

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate an earlier occasion on which a delegation composed entirely of hon. Members did not make a report for publication for the information of hon. Members of this House?

Mr. Mayhew

There would be no reason against publication with the permission of the hon. Members if that were strongly desired. But, at the same time, to make all these reports available for publication might lead to a situation where the reports themselves lost some of their value.

Mr. Butcher

Will the hon. Gentleman approach the hon. Members in question and, if they are agreeable, arrange for publication to take place?

Mr. Mayhew

I am not sure that there is a strong demand for publication of this report.