§ 34. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement on the Government's intentions in regard to the proposed expenditure on the Overseas In formation Services during 1953–54.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe hon. Member is really asking me to anticipate publication of the Estimates for 1954–55, which will be laid before the House in due course. That I cannot do. I am, however, considering whether a statement of a more general nature should be made as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an assurance that he will make a statement in the very near future? He has been pressed to publish the recommendations of the Drogheda Report relevant to this and we have asked for a White Paper. Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say now whether he is going to lay a White Paper on the future of the Overseas Information Services?
§ Mr. LloydI fully understand that a great deal of patience has been shown in this matter. I shall certainly do what I said in the last sentence of my main answer.