HC Deb 03 July 1957 vol 572 cc1086-7
26. Mr. Peyton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make the United Nations Committee's report on Hungary available as a White Paper.

Commander Noble

No, Sir. This report will be distributed in the United Kingdom in the form in which it is being printed by the United Nations Organisation, and will be available to hon. Members through Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Mr. Peyton

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend feel that to publish this report as a White Paper would give it very much wider circulation and that in refusing to do that he is missing an extraordinarily valuable opportunity to remind public opinion in this country, as well as elsewhere, of the true nature of the Russian power and the cynical brutality with which it suppresses habitually any aspirations for freedom?

Commander Noble

Whilst I agree with the second half of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I do not agree with the first part. This is a document of about 300 pages, an expensive publication, and I think that a White Paper would not be cheaper. I do not think that the impact of the White Paper would have the same effect in this country as a United Nations publication.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Whilst we would agree with the Minister of State that this report produced as a United Nations document may carry more effect than a White Paper, may I ask whether he will make arrangements to ensure that it will be equally available not only to hon. and right hon. Members but to other members of the public at a very reasonable price?

Commander Noble

I will certainly bear that in mind.