HC Deb 01 May 1957 vol 569 cc176-8
8. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have nothing to add at present to my reply given on 17th April, and to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the same date.

Mr. Henderson

When does the right hon. and learned Gentleman expect to be able to make a statement? Is it not a fact that the newspapers today published statements made by the Russian representatives, and that a few weeks ago statements were made by the United States representative? Can we not have some indication from our own Government of what they are proposing in this disarmament conference?

Mr. Lloyd

I am certainly very willing to make a statement to the House at the proper time. Personally, I think that it is rather contrary to the idea of having confidential discussions for these proposals of other Governments immediately to be issued to the Press. In fact, only yesterday we were told that Russian proposals were not going to be issued to the Press. Afterwards they were. I quite agree that that seems to put Governments which try to keep these matters confidential at a disadvantage, and I am considering the position.

10. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British delegate to the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee to propose that the verbatim records of the Sub-Committee shall be published weekly, during the sittings of the Sub-Committee, instead of once a year and after a long delay.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I am asking my right hon. and gallant Friend to consult the other members of the Sub-Committee as to the desirability of publishing the records more frequently.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am much obliged to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that answer. May I say that I think that it would be a service to all Members of the House if this could be done? At present, it is impossible to follow what is going on, and it is extremely important that we should be able to do so.

Mr. Lloyd

I appreciate the point which the right hon. Gentleman has made.

14. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of present developments in the discussions of the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee, he will now, in accordance with precedent, lay the verbatim records of the Sub-Committee's meetings in 1956 as a Command Paper.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

As the right hon. Gentleman will know from the reply given by my hon. Friend on 7th March, Her Majesty's Government decided not to print records of the Sub-Committee for the year 1956. Four copies of the verbatim record were, however, placed in the Library of the House. In view of the right hon. Gentleman's interest in this matter, I will see that extra copies are made available there.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am obliged to the Foreign Secretary for that answer. In view of the fact that proposals are constantly being put out in the Press which are now under discussion in the Sub-Committee, and in view of the fact that it is impossible to understand the importance—and very often even the meaning —of these proposals without reference to the discussions last year, would it not help hon. Members very much if they could have them in print?

Mr. Lloyd

It is a difficult matter. One is always having economy enjoined upon one, and I am informed that the cost of doing this would be about £700. In fact, we have received such a small demand or request for this that I think the matter is met by the arrangement I am making. I will certainly see that the right hon. Gentleman receives his copy of these verbatim records.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I appreciate that £700 is a considerable sum, but the cost of armaments is even greater. There is now a great interest in this subject and people are trying to follow the proceedings of the Sub-Committee. I hope that the Foreign Secretary will consider again whether we cannot have the records in print.

Mr. Lloyd

I will certainly consider it, but so far as the year 1956 is concerned I think the situation will be met if I make more copies available of the records in the present form.