HC Deb 09 May 1966 vol 728 cc12-3W
63. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the secrecy attached by Her Majesty's Government to the decision to appoint Mr. M. R. D. Foot as the historian for the Special Operations Executive, why the hon. Member for Tynemouth was permitted over the whole period to meet him and discuss matters relating to the project.

Mrs. White

As the hon. Lady will recall, the decision in principle to publish an account of Special Operations Executive's achievements in France was announced to the House by the then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on the 13th of April 1964. While everyone recognises the very keen interest of the hon. Lady in this enterprise, the question of any contacts which she may have had with Mr. Foot before that date is not one which the present Government can answer.