§ 6. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that on 19th March, 1886, a Resolution was all but carried, being defeated by a majority of four only, in the House of Commons desiring all treaties to be laid before Parliament for its approval before being finally concluded; and whether, having regard to the almost unlimited discretion of the Executive in this country in foreign affairs and its power to commit the country to the greatest international obligations without consulting Parliament, any treaties which may be made with foreign Powers resulting from the present crisis in the East will be laid before Parliament before being finally concluded, according to the practice which obtains in the United States of America under its Constitution and according to the constitutional laws of the French Republic in reference to treaties of peace and commercial treaties?
§ Sir E. GREYThe subject raised by the hon. and learned Member is one of a grave constitutional character, and could not appropriately be dealt with by the process of question and answer. The hon. and learned Member raised the same issue in Debate on 12th April of last year, and I then explained at some length the considerations by which the Government must be guided in the matter. I would also recall to the hon. and learned Member's attention that, in answer to his question on 16th May, 1911, I pointed out more particularly that the question whether Parliament should or should not be given an opportunity of discussing a given treaty before His Majesty was advised to ratify it was one of constitutional practice and expediency rather than of principle. I cannot at this moment usefully add anything to what I said on those occasions, nor make any promise about hypothetical treaties.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLMay I ask, does the assurance which he has given to the House many, many times still remain, namely, that he will take, as far as he can, the House into his confidence in all matters of international complications?
§ Mr. MOOREMay I ask whether, from a constitutional point of view, it is worse to commit the country without consulting Parliament or to commit Parliament without consulting the country?
§ Sir E. GREYThose things appear to me to be questions on which the answer may vary according to the particular occasion. I adhere to any statement I made. I do not recall the particular one the hon. Member quoted, but if it was to the effect that we desired to take the House of Commons into our confidence, as far as possible in foreign policy, it is perfectly true.