§ Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any secret pacts or agreements exist between this and any other country or countries that have not been disclosed to this House; and whether he will give an assurance that no agreement will be concluded with any other country until it has been confirmed by Parliament
§ Mr. BevinIn time of war it is necessary to conclude agreements, the terms of which cannot, in the interests of this country or of the other country or countries concerned, be disclosed at the time of signature or even in the period following 1409W the close of hostilities. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that it is both the intention and the desire of His Majesty's Government that Parliament should have the opportunity of discussing treaties and agreements concluded with other Governments and the practice will be continued of laying such instruments on the Table of the House wherever it is practicable prior to ratification, unless they are of such a character that it would be contrary to the public interest to do so.