HC Deb 15 March 1948 vol 448 cc1681-2
14. Mr. Wilson Harris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will arrange for the diplomatic documents covering the period from the occupation of Austria in March, 1938, to the outbreak of war to be published as soon as possible.

Mr. Mayhew

This question is at present under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

Mr. Harris

When the documents relating to the 1914 war were published, the first to appear was No. 13, dealing with the immediate period before the outbreak of war, and will the Minister consider the advisability of following that course in this case?

Mr. Mayhew

There are pros and cons in this, but we shall bear the point in mind.

Professor Savory

Does not the hon. Gentleman feel that owing to the publication of the Austrian Chancellor's memoirs—the memoirs of Mr. Schuschnigg—the importance of publishing these documents is very great?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, we have noticed that, and the fact that other versions are being published soon after the war is influencing us as to whether or not we should speed up publication as suggested.

Mr. Cocks

In considering the matter, will my hon. Friend ante-date the period to include the report of Lord Halifax's secret mission to Germany?

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