§ 53. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action His Majesty's Government is taking with respect to the Note received from the Government of the United States of America inviting 363 His Majesty's Government to adhere to a treaty for the outlawry of war and enclosing a preliminary draft treaty for that purpose?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe Note which the United States Ambassador addressed to His Majesty's Government on the 13th of April is receiving most careful and sympathetic consideration and will form the subject of consultations with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we in any way bound to consult with the French Government before answering?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe French Government have informed us that they are about to send us a Note, now in course of preparation, enclosing a draft treaty embodying the French Government's views, and, therefore, it would be premature to consult them at the moment.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI did not make myself clear. Beyond consulting the Dominions, are we in any way bound to consult the French Government?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe French Government, as I say, are sending us a Note embodying their own views, and doubtless we shall exchange opinions on this particular matter.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAs the opinions of the French Government and the American Government differ on this subject, can we be assured that this House will have the opportunity of considering the matter before the Government definitely commits us to the French point of view?
§ Captain GARRO-JONESHas the right hon. Gentleman read a report saying that the French Government wish to exempt from the outlawry of war disputes affecting national honour or their vital interests?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must see questions affecting other Governments before they are put down on the Order Paper.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESMay I submit that the questions asked by the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) and the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) affect other Governments, and every question on foreign relations affects other Governments, so that if we are to be prohibited from putting them in the House, we shall not be allowed to ask ask questions on foreign relations at all.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member was putting something into the mouth of a foreign Government. It is that to which I object, it being a question that I should see before it is put.