§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question of which I have given Private Notice, in order to help the information of the House. It is: To ask whether Her Majesty's Government can tell the House the approximate date when it may expect publication of the usual White Paper on Defence.
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I understand that nothing has been settled on the point—that no date has been settled—but I have no reason to suppose that we shall depart from the usual practice, which would be to issue the Paper towards the end of February or beginning of March.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, that is helpful. I was anxious to know, for our preparations and studies, whether the international conversations which are going on are likely to affect the preparation of this document. There have been rumours here and there, but I may take it, I gather, that we shall have a White Paper on Defence, and at the approximate date suggested.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, as I said, nothing has been settled. I do not know whether we can settle the exact date yet, but it will be round about that time.