§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention had been drawn to a statement by Lord Desart, on 13th March last, in which, referring to the general report of the drafting committee to the recent Naval Conference, generally known as M. Renault's report, and so referred to in the letter of the British delegates to Sir Edward Grey of 1st March, 1909, Lord Desart stated that this report would, according to the practice of Continental courts, be accepted as an authoritative commentary, but in English and American courts such a document might not be accepted as authoritative; whether His Majesty's Government agreed with this. statement of Lord Desart; or whether they considered that the report in question must be accepted by the English and American courts as an authoritative interpretation of the text of the Declaration of London?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The question asked by the hon. and learned Member is the same as the question he asked last Monday, with a slight difference of phraseology. The hon. 821 and learned Member is again asking me to discuss matters of argument and opinion which, I venture to think, are not suitably dealt with at Question time. The hon. and learned Member will have full opportunity for raising any such question he desires to raise when the matter is debated in the House.
§ Mr. BUTCHERDoes His Majesty's Government agree with the statement by Lord Desart, mentioned in the question?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThat again is a matter of argument. I do not think the statement quoted by the hon. and learned Member represents very accurately the views of Lord Desart. I am not aware that there is any difference of opinion between His Majesty's Government and Lord Desart on the question.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEHow soon are we likely to have an opportunity of discussing the matter in the House?