HC Deb 21 February 1918 vol 103 c888
3. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the full terms of the quartipartite treaty of 26th April, 1915, having been communicated to the Italian Chamber on 14th February, 1918, he will say on what date the consent of the British Government was given to the publication of this secret treaty; and whether, either as a. White Paper or in answer to a question for written answer, he will give the full text?

Lord R. CECIL

The assumptions in the first part of the question are baseless, and the answer to the second part is in the negative.

Mr. KING

Does the Noble Lord really mean that this treaty was not read out fully in the Italian Chamber the other day?

Lord R. CECIL

I mean exactly what I say—that the assumption that the full terms of the treaty referred to were communicated to the Italian Chamber, and that the consent of the British Government was given to their publication, is entirely baseless.

Mr. KING

Are we to assume that it was read out without the consent of the British Government?

Mr. PR INGLE

Are both of these assumptions baseless, or only one?

Lord R. CECIL

Both.