HC Deb 20 June 1955 vol 542 cc1006-7
6. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, in accordance with precedent, publish as a White Paper the record of the discussions in the meeting of the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee, which took place at Lancaster House this year.

Mr. Nutting

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 15th of June.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the Minister of State say whether Her Majesty's Government will propose that these minutes should be published at the right time—but before the Assembly of the United Nations—in view of the very beneficial effect which publication has had in the past?

Mr. Nutting

It is, of course, for the Sub-Committee to take its own decision about the publication of its records and minutes and the proposals which are made before it, but I think that I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that publication will take place before the meeting of the Assembly, because the Sub-Committee has to report to the Disarmament Commission, the parent body, prior to the meeting of the Assembly. Therefore, publication should take place before September.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Am I to understand that Her Majesty's Government will propose that publication should take place?

Mr. Nutting

I think that it will happen as an automatic act by the Sub-Committee, but we will certainly see that when the Sub-Committee finishes its meeting, which will be before the Assembly meets, the records are published.