HC Deb 30 June 1959 vol 608 cc244-6
48. Mr. Healey

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish the official communication he made to President de Gaulle on 22nd June.

The Prime Minister

I made no official communication to President de Gaulle on 22nd June.

Mr. Healey

Is the Prime Minister aware of the content of the message which was passed by the British Ambassador in France to General de Gaulle on 22nd June—and if not, why not?

The Prime Minister

I have made no such communication. A message was sent, but it did not deal with any current political problems. It was a communication of a formal character.

Mr. Healey

The Prime Minister has admitted that a communication did pass. That contradicts his earlier Answer. Will he tell us what was the nature of the communication?

The Prime Minister

I said that no communication was made by me to President de Gaulle. I was asked in Question No 48 if I would publish the communication made by me to President de Gaulle. If the hon. Member referred to a communication which was made it was of the character of a formal kind which it is not customary to publish.

Mr. Gaitskell

Why is the Prime Minister being so coy about this matter? Is he attempting to evade responsibility for the official communication made to General de Gaulle? Why should he not tell us what it contained?

The Prime Minister

I should be perfectly ready, as the right hon. Member knows, to speak about it to him, but it would be contrary to precedent and practice to publish the terms of the communication at the present moment.

Mr. Bevan

Did the communication originate with the Prime Minister or with the Ambassador?

The Prime Minister

It was approved by the Government, but was of a character which it is not customary or according to precedent to publish.

Mr. Gaitskell

Are we to understand that the Prime Minister's reticence is connected with the fact that he has not yet had a reply from the President? In that case we should understand it. May we have an assurance that when a reply has been received he will make a statement to the House?

The Prime Minister

I shall make a statement as soon as, according to precedent, it is customary to do so.