§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will state by what method of procedure he proposes to make it a condition of the ratification of the Declaration of London that the general report of the drafting committee shall be treated by all the signatory Powers as an authoritative interpretation of the provisions of the Declaration; whether it is his intention to ask for the express assent of all the signatory Powers to such a condition; and, if not, by what, means he proposes to make such a condition binding on all the signatory Powers; (2) if he will state by what method of procedure he pro- 1655 poses to make it a condition of the ratification of the Declaration of London that the word enemy (1'ennemi) in Article 34 of the Declaration shall be taken by all the signatory Powers to mean the enemy government and not the enemy people; whether he intends to ask for the express assent of all the signatory Powers to such a condition; and, if not, by what means he proposes to make such a condition binding on the signatory Powers; (3) whether he can give any explanation or definition of the meaning of the words base of operations or of supply, which are used in the general report of the drafting committee in connection with the interpretation of Article 34 of the Declaration of London; whether he proposes to ask the signatory powers for any explanation or definition of these words; and whether he proposes to inform the signatory Powers of the meaning attached to these words by His Majesty's Government, and to ask them whether they agree with His Majesty's Government as to such meaning; and (4) whether, in order to illustrate the meaning of the words in Article 34 of the Declaration of London, a place serving as a base for the armed forces of the enemy, he will state what ports in Great Britain could not, in the view of His Majesty's Government, be regarded as places serving as bases for the armed forces of this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)When the discussion on the Declaration of London takes place a statement will be made in which the separate points referred to in the questions can be dealt with in their proper place as parts of the whole. Meanwhile, I propose to defer any further statement about them.
§ Mr. H. W. FORSTERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will give us any indication of the nature of the statement he proposes to make before the Debate takes place?
§ Sir E. GREYI have given an indication in previous answers, but it is almost impossible to adequately deal with one or two of these points in answer to questions. I think it will be much better to do it when the matter is discussed.
§ Mr. REMNANTDoes the right hon. Gentleman still propose to take the discussion on the 26th? Will that be a suitable day?
§ Sir E. GREYI would ask the hon. Gentleman to put the question to the Prime Minister as to when the discussion will be taken. I understand it will be taken soon. I am not so sure that the Prime Minister has definitely fixed the time.