§ 45. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that the information that is to be given by him to the right hon. Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) will also be made available to other Members of the House.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)No, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of public interest as well as interest among hon. Members in regard to the secret session between the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister—
§ Sir W. SmithersAnd also amongst the Russians.
§ Mr. Hughes—and is he further aware that many millions of public money have to be voted by hon. Members of this House on Defence, and are they not just as much entitled to know what it is all about as the Leader of the Opposition?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think the hon. Member is acquainted with the practice, which has been an established one over many years, for the Government, at their discretion, to communicate some information to the leaders of other parties who are Members of His Majesty's Privy Council where it would not be in the national interest to give wide circulation to the information.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not time that this practice was discontinued?