HC Deb 28 May 1930 vol 239 cc1268-9
4. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the terms of the formula interpretative of Article 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations agreed with the French Government during the recent Five-Power Naval Conference?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

The discussions which took place with the French delegation during the London Naval Conference did not result in any formula interpretative of Article 16 of the Covenant being agreed with the French Government.

Mr. MANDER

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the country is entitled to know to what obligations it is committed in the view of the present Government?

Mr. HENDERSON

Yes, if they had been committed they would have been entitled to know, but, as they have not been committed, there is nothing to inform them about.

Mr. MANDER

I mean the existing obligations, not new ones?

6. Captain EDEN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of seeking the approval of Parliament for the consideration of the proposed amendments to the covenants of the League of Nations before a decision is taken on the matter by the Assembly at Geneva?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

As I stated in a reply to a supplementary question on the 21st of May, the House will have an opportunity of discussing the matter if the proposed amendments to the Covenant are finally approved at the next meeting of the Assembly, in which event they will be brought before the House prior to ratification.

Captain EDEN

Seeing it is the case that, once the Assembly has agreed to these proposals, this House will have no power to do other than accept or reject them, not being able to amend them, could not we have the discussion on the proposals at a time when it would be possible to amend them?

Mr. HENDERSON

So far as any obligations rest on this country, the House will have its opportunity by refusing ratification.

Captain EDEN

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman see that it ought to be possible for the House to make some amendment instead of being limited to acceptance or rejection?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am afraid, if this House had to fix up amendments, we should get into a sorry mess.

Captain EDEN

May I ask what has happened to the Prime Minister's Council of State?