§ 45. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will instruct our Ambassador in Washington to arrange for members of the United States Senate to be supplied with copies of HANSARD for the recent debate on foreign affairs, in order that they may be fully informed of references to the United States of America made during the debate.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)Arrangements will be made in future to ensure that the verbatim text of important speeches on foreign affairs by the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition are cabled immediately after they are delivered to the British Embassy in Washington.
§ Mr. HughesWould it not be just as well if this arrangement was made retrospective so that Senator McCarthy 1871 and other Senators might have some clearer idea of what was said in this House?
§ The Prime MinisterActually, the verbatim text arrived the next day, but I agree that it is a great pity to do what was done by the Department or the branch concerned, namely, to send a 75 per cent. extract of the speech, because all of us who have experience of these matters in all parts of the House will feel that one could hardly have it worse both ways than to have 75 per cent. of one's speech reported.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIs the Prime Minister aware that the action he has taken will meet with the approval of all parts of the House? I think it is very wise because otherwise we are liable to be misunderstood on the basis of summaries. I should like to express what I hope is the feeling of the whole House—our appreciation of what the Prime Minister has done.
§ Hon. Members: Hear, hear.