50. Mr. RICHARDSONasked the Prime Minister upon what basis the exchange of prisoners is to be effected under the provisional agreement recently concluded at The Hague; whether its terms will be laid before Parliament before it is ratified by the Government; and whether any, and, if so, what, opportunity will be given to the House of Commons of discussing it before the Recess?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI should prefer to make no statement until the Cabinet has been able to consider the terms of the agreement. As regards the second part of the question, I can make no promise that the agreement will be laid upon the Table before it has been ratified. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think that there would be any advantage in discussing this question in present circumstances.
Mr. RICHARDSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the Cabinet will consider this question before the Recess?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWCertainly. We shall consider it within the next few days.