§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that he has promised that both Houses of Parliament should have an opportunity of fully discussing the Declaration of London, and that Ministers would not advise His Majesty to ratify a treaty to which Parliamentary approval had been expressly refused, he would say whether the Declaration of London would be ratified if the House of Lords expressly refused its approval?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The Declaration of London is in a certain sense subsidiary to the Prize Court Convention. In order that effect should be given to that convention in this country, legislation is necessary. Such legislation is embodied in the Naval Prize Bill which will in due couse be submitted to both Houses of Parliament.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEDo we understand from that reply that the Declaration will in no case be ratified until after the Naval Prize Bill has passed through both Houses?
Mr. McKlNNON WOODThe Declaration will not be ratified until after the Naval Prize Bill has been discussed.
Sir GILBERT PARKERIs it anticipated that the Naval Prize Bill will be submitted to the Houses of Parliament this Session?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the answer. I should like to point out to hon. Members that we have 115 questions to get through before a quarter to four o'clock. I therefore really would beg hon. Members to exercise some self-restraint.
§ Mr. HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether the Naval Prize Bill will be postponed till after the Colonial Conference has considered the Declaration of London; 417 and, if not, will refusal to ratify the Declaration nullify or render inoperative the whole or part of the Naval Prize Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs at present advised I should not take the Second Reading of the Naval Prize Bill until after the Conference has considered the Declaration.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked whether the discussion on the Naval Prize Bill would cover the whole of the ground of the Declaration of London; whether there would be a discussion on the Declaration of London separately; and whether a Parliamentary Vote would be taken on the Declaration of London and on the Naval Prize Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have already stated that in our opinion a convenient opportunity for discussing the whole of the Declaration of London will arise on the Second Reading of the Naval Prize Bill; and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and I myself, have made it abundantly clear that Parliament will have full opportunity of discussing the provisions of the Declaration before His Majesty is advised to ratify it.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill any opportunity be given to Parliament to express their view, yes or no, whether the Declaration should be ratified?
§ The PRIME MINISTERRatification is a matter not for Parliament, but for the Crown. The Crown will not be advised to ratify if the House of Commons gives an adverse vote.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill the House of Commons have an opportunity of advising His Majesty's Ministers, yes or no, whether they should ratify?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether the attention of the respective Governments of the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa has been officially called by His Majesty's Government to the correspondence and documents respecting the International Naval Conference recently held in London [Cd. 4554] and the correspondence respecting the Declaration of London [Cd. 5418]; whether such respective Governments have been furnished with copies of the papers above referred to and 418 have been invited to express their opinions thereon to His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether any replies have been received from such respective Governments?
§ Mr. BUTCHERalso asked whether any communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the respective Governments referred to in the last question with reference to the Declaration of London and the ratification thereof; and, if so, whether such communication will be laid upon the Table of the House?
Mr. HARCOURTCopies of the Parliamentary Papers referred to were sent out to the Dominion Governments in the ordinary course, but no expression of their views was invited, and the only expression of opinion received is the resolution of the Commonwealth of Australia, to be submitted to the Imperial Conference, to which I referred in my answer of yesterday to the hon. Member for Hampshire (West).
§ Mr. BUTCHERfurther asked the Prime Minister whether any communications passed between His Majesty's Government and the respective Governments of the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa, with reference to the Naval Prize Bill, 1910, before such Bill was introduced into the House of Commons in June of last year; and, if so, whether such communications will be laid upon the Table of the House?
Mr. HARCOURTNo, Sir; time and the circumstances of the case did not permit of prior consultation of the Dominions. The Bill was however forwarded to the Dominion Governments in July, 1910, and a reply has been received only from the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, saying that the contents of the Bill have been noted by his Ministers.
§ Mr. BUTCHERIs the effect of that Bill to place our fellow subjects beyond the seas under the jurisdiction of a new tribunal—the International Prize Court?
Mr. HARCOURTI do not think a question of argument as to the effect of the Bill should be put to me as Colonial Secretary.
§ Mr. BUTCHERMay I ask if this Bill would affect our fellow subjects throughout our possessions?