§ 2. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any further information as to the suggestions made by the United States of America for the formation of an Inter national Committee to prepare for the third Hague Conference; whether those suggestions have yet received the assent of His Majesty's Government; whether they have received the assent of any other Powers; and whether His Majesty's Government have yet taken any steps to form an Interdepartmental Committee to advise as to the programme to be discussed and the views to be put forward on behalf of this country in conformity with the procedure adopted before the second Peace Conference?
§ Sir E. GREYThe suggestions made by the United States for the formation of an International Committee are forming the subject of discussion between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government. His Majesty's Government have no knowledge whether the United States proposals have received the assent of other Powers. As regards 1500 the latter part of the question, steps are being taken to form an Interdepartmental Committee.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of rather widening the scope of this Committee, as compared with the last occasion, by introducing some Members of this House as well as mere officials?
§ Sir E. GREYThere are two further questions on that subject on the Paper.
§ Mr. BARNESHas the Interdepartmental Committee or National Committee referred to been arranged for?
§ Sir E. GREYYes; the Interdepartmental Committee will be a Committee presided over by a Member of the Cabinet, and will be a Committee which will decide or advise upon the instructions.
4. Mr. GORDON HARVEYasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if, in taking steps to nominate a British Committee to formulate proposals to lay before the next Hague Conference, he will consider the advisability of appointing a member selected from the Associated Chambers of Commerce or some one representative of the commerce and industries of the United Kingdom?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Committee to which the hon. Member refers will be a purely Interdepartmental Committee, and its membership will consist exclusively of representatives of the Government Departments concerned. Any proposals that the Associated Chambers care to submit will receive the careful consideration of the Committee.
§ 6. Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he has yet reconsidered the question of representation of the various non-political interests in the community, including labour, on the National Committee or other body which may have the duty of drawing up suggestions for the Government for the next Hague Conference?
§ Sir E. GREYAs the preparation of the programme to be submitted by His Majesty's Government at the preliminary International Conference must be a matter for which His Majesty's Government are wholly responsible, and, as it involves questions of confidential policy, the Government cannot admit the representatives of outside interests on the National Committee; but that Committee will carefully 1501 consider anything submitted to them, and will receive evidence should it appear desirable to do so.