§ Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Ambassador in the United States had been officially in communication with the President or Government of the United States since the right hon. Gentleman's announcement in the House on the subject of international arbitration, with a view to giving some practical effect to the proposals?
The UNDER-SECRETARY for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)It would be premature to make statements as to what has passed between the two Governments in addition to what was stated in reply to a question on the 8th instant.
§ Mr. REMNANTDoes the hon. Gentleman consider that answer in conformity with the statement by the Foreign Secretary, that all papers had been laid on the table up to date two days ago?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThere is no inconsistency. I think the hon. Member will recognise that continual public statements as to negotiations with other Powers before any conclusion is reached, would make negotiations impossible.
§ Mr. REMNANTI will ask once more whether the right hon. Gentleman considers we are more likely to have any attention paid to our requests——
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is not a question of what a Minister considers. Everyone can form his own opinion upon a review of the facts.
§ Earl WINTERTONI will repeat the question this day week.
§ Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have ascertained through the usual diplomatic channels the views of the Government of the French Republic and the Government of His Imperial Majesty the Mikado of Japan upon the proposal to submit all international disputes to arbitration; and, if not, whether he intends to ascertain their views?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friend on the 16th inst.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. Gentleman has made no reference whatever to whether or not the views of the French Republic have been ascertained?
§ Earl WINTERTONI give the hon. Gentleman notice that I will repeat the question till I obtain an answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not a time for giving notice of questions. The Noble Lord can do that by handing them in.
§ Earl WINTERTONOn a point of Order. Would it be in order as a matter of courtesy to give the hon. Gentleman notice that I will raise the question either on the Consolidated Fund Bill to-morrow or, if I am not called, on the adjournment of the House?
The NOBLE LORDalso asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any scheme, supported by His Majesty's Government, for the reference of all international disputes to arbitration has been submitted to the Governments of the self- 386 governing Dominions of the Empire; and, if so, whether he will lay their several answers upon the Table of the House?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)No, Sir. I may refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Rutland by the Prime Minister on the 20th inst.
§ Earl WINTERTONDoes that answer refer to all the self-governing Dominions?
§ Colonel SEELYI have the extract here, which the Noble Lord can see for himself. The point of the Prime Minister's answer was that there was no actual proposal before His Majesty's Government.