HL Deb 30 January 1962 vol 236 cc997-8

2.40 p.m.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received the Report and Recommendations of the Convention of Distinguished Citizens from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Nations which met at Paris from the 8th to the 20th January 1962, and, if so, whether they will publish the Report and Recommendations as a White Paper.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)

My Lords, the Report was received last week and it is now being studied. While Her Majesty's Government have great sympathy with the aims of the Convention, they are of course not bound by its recommendations. Since the Report and Recommendations are unofficial, I think that it would be inappropriate to publish them as a White Paper. I have, however, arranged for copies to be placed in the Printed Paper Office of your Lordships' House.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Earl for his reply. But can he tell me whether the Government propose to take any steps at all to get the recommendations of this Report made more public other than merely providing copies in the Printed Paper Office?

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I shall be making a speech on the subject in the debate tomorrow, and I hope the noble Lord will listen to it in due course.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGH

My Lords, would it not be interesting for Parliament to know exactly what method is used in selecting distinguished citizens for this purpose, and what their particular qualifications are for the job they are supposed to be doing?

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I think their qualifications generally are that they are very distinguished.