HC Deb 27 November 1957 vol 578 cc1157-8
42. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he intends to lay the verbatim records of the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee before Parliament as a Command Paper.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Her Majesty's Government have decided not to print the verbatim records of the 1957 Session of the Sub-Committee, but a Command Paper containing the two Reports of the Sub-Committee and a summary of proceedings will be laid shortly. Eight sets of the verbatim records have been placed in the Library of the House, and the right hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members have also received a set for their own use.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Since the Foreign Secretary this afternon has appealed for support for the Western Governments' proposals, is it not desirable that hon. Members and the Press should be able to understand the proposals, which they certainly cannot do unless the minutes are readily available?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I understand the point of view of the right hon. Gentleman, but he will appreciate that on this occasion the discussions went on for five and a half months. The printing of the verbatim record would cost something like £4,000. I think that those who have a detailed interest in this subject can be served by receiving copies of the verbatim record which is already printed by the United Nations. Incidentally, we pay our contribution to the printing of that verbatim record. In addition, as I have said, there are eight copies available in the Library, and we have a certain number of other copies which will be available to anyone who takes a particular interest in this subject.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not desirable that all hon. Members should be able to take a detailed interest, and is £4,000 really of significance in respect of disarmament when our armaments bill is £1,500 million a year?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

All hon. Members who take a detailed interest in this subject can have the verbatim records available to them.