§ 41. Mr. Bellengerasked the Prime Minister whether he has completed his consideration of the desirability of publishing, in the form of a White Paper, the existing rules relating to the publication of secret State documents by ex-Ministers of the Crown and others formerly in State service and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have considered this suggestion, but I do not think I can add to the statement made by the noble Lord, Lord Morrison of Lambeth, then Lord President of the Council, on 1st August, 1946.
§ Mr. BellengerHas the Prime Minister consulted his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, who, when the matter was raised in the absence of the Prime Minister, thought that the idea was well worth pursuing? Would it not save a large number of Questions when there are contentious and controversial publications including State 571 documents, which are not available to other right hon. or hon. Members of the House and certainly not to historians and others who have a right to know something about these things?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is another Question to follow on which, perhaps, more detail might be given. On the general question, however, Lord Morrison's statement set out clearly the main considerations which have guided successive Governments in dealing with these matters. Each application to use a hitherto unpublished document must be considered on its merits in the light of the general considerations outlined in the earlier statement. I am, of course, willing to consider whether a new set of conventions should be drawn up, but it is not so much a matter of making new conventions as of operating them from time to time. I will certainly give thought to the matter—a great deal of thought and time would have to be given—and if I wished to make any new suggestions, which, after all, would tend to bind future Governments, I would, of course, discuss the matter with the Leader of the Opposition.