41. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will publish the statement sent by Her Majesty's Government to the Secretariat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, giving particulars of the adjustments that have been made in the armament programme, following the review announced by him in July last.
§ Mr. BirchNo, Sir. The statement is not suitable for publication as it contains classified information. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making a statement on the defence production programme next Wednesday.
Mr. WilsonWill the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that the information asked for is of vital importance to the economic position of the country, and will he impress upon his right hon. Friend the necessity to give this House the very fullest information about the changes that have been made in the armaments programme?
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the Parliamentary Secretary say whether his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made, on behalf of the Government, any submissions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, not only on the subject of production, but on the subject of manpower? Will the right hon. Gentleman include in his statement next Wednesday some reference to that subject?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt may be a different question, but surely, if submissions have been made to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the question of armaments, some reference ought to be made to the subject of manpower.