HC Deb 31 January 1957 vol 563 cc1164-6
45. Mr. Lewis

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish a verbatim report of the discussions which ensued between the Prime Minister of France and the then Prime Minister of Great Britain on 16th October last on the question of armed intervention in Egyptian territory.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

The subjects discussed at this meeting were set out in the communiqué issued at the time, and I have nothing to add to that.

Mr. Lewis

if the Prime Minister will look at the Answers to the Questions given by the previous Administration, he will notice that they then refused to give this information. Although at that time it might have been right not to give it, can the Prime Minister now give any sensible or logical reason why information of this secret meeting should not be given—except, perhaps, that he wishes to hide what took place upon that occasion?

The Prime Minister

This matter was debated very much and at great length just before the House rose for the Christmas Recess, and I have nothing to add.

Mr. Gaitskell

As, according to the newspapers, Mr. Dulles is to present a report to Congress of recent events in the Middle East, can the Prime Minister state whether Mr. Dulles has asked him or the Foreign Secretary for information about these meetings on 16th and 23rd October?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I understood—this is only what I have read in the newspapers—that Mr. Dulles was to present a report, covering a period of ten years, of the chief events in the Middle East.

Mr. Gaitskell

That would cover the events of last autumn. I am asking the Prime Minister a very simple question. Have the Government been approached by the American Foreign Secretary for information about these meetings with the French?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Lewis

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any reason—[Interruption.] —why he will not publish this report other than—[Interruption.]—

Mr. G. Thomas

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. Is it not customary that hon. Members shall be protected when they have been called by the Chair?

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I was about to rise. I hope that the hon. Member will be heard, and I hope that he will ask his question succinctly.

Mr. Lewis

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I always do.

Can the Prime Minister give any reason why this report should not be published, except that he wishes to hide the political dishonesty of the previous Administration?

The Prime Minister

A communication has already been issued, and I have nothing to add to it. If discussions between Her Majesty's Ministers and Ministers of foreign countries were followed by verbatim reports of the discussions, I do not think these or other conferences would be of much value.