§ 48. Sir W. DICKINSONasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has accepted a resolution in another place approving of the principle of a League of Nations; and whether he will give a day for this House to discuss a Motion to the same effect standing in the name of the right hon. Member for North St. Pancras and the hon. Member for the North-Western Division of 1043 Durham: ["That this House approves the principle of a League of Nations and commends to His Majesty's Government a study of the conditions required for its realisation."]
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt would not be possible to give a day for this discussion before the Recess.
§ Sir W. DICKINSONDid not His Majesty's Government, in their reply to President Wilson, state that they associated themselves whole-heartedly with the plan to create a League of Nations; and, if so, would it not be advisable for the Government to obtain the support of the House of Commons to that policy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir, but it is a question of giving a day before the Adjournment—that is the question on the Paper—and I do not see how it is possible to do that.
§ Sir E. CARSONIs there anybody who opposes a League of Nations?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not met anybody who opposes it.
§ Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs there anybody in this country who really knows what the Government means by a "League of Nations"?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think that everyone in this country knows as clearly what the Government means as what anyone else means.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a very strong feeling in the country that the Government have not made their position clear on this matter, and that it is of extreme national importance that they should do so?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think that there is any justification for that feeling.
§ Mr. WHYTEWould the right hon. Gentleman publish as early as possible the Report of the Committee which has been sitting at the Foreign Office to discuss and inquire into this subject?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would like notice of that question.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELDoes the answer which the right hon. Gentleman gave just now imply that neither the Government nor anyone else really under- 1044 stands what a League of Nations means, and, if that is so, is it not desirable that steps should be taken to explore the subject, in order to come to some definite conclusion?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think that my answer implied anything of the kind.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter, if it is shown that there is a strong feeling in the House in favour of this discussion?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can only give the answer that I have always given. If the House presses me, and there is a real general desire, I always try to give a day, but I cannot myself sec that there is any need for a day before the Recess to discuss this subject.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are already two sections of this new faith, and, as it is important to prevent any further heresies, is it not desirable to have a clear statement of policy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have never found any discussion in this House get rid of any heresy.