§ 49. Colonel YATEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Government is losing the confidence of the country owing to the delay in carrying out the policy of the Paris Resolutions; and whether the Government will now proceed to at once denounce the commercial treaties containing Most-Favoured-Nation treaty clauses and leave the statements to follow after?
59 and 60. Captain G. LLOYDasked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware of the desire that His Majesty's Government should inform the country promptly as to what economic policy they propose for this country's adoption after the War; and whether he will make an announcement on this subject before the Recess; and
(2) whether, in view of the fact that six months has now elapsed since Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Committee made its Report and recommendations in regard to economic policy, he can now state whether His Majesty's Government have adopted the findings of this Committee; and, if not, what economic policy do they propose in lieu of it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can add nothing to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Staffordshire on the 17th July last, when I said 1999 that a full statement on this subject would be made as soon as possible after the Recess.
Captain LLOYDWill the right hon. Gentleman not give us a reply before the Recess? There is a great deal of anxiety on the subject.
Mr. RUNCIMANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can assure the House that no irrevocable steps will be taken before that statement is made?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo steps can be taken which do more than bind the present Government as to their views. I should have thought the answer I gave was sufficient explanation of the delay. The subject is of necessity being discussed now, not only at the Imperial Conference, but at the Imperial War Cabinet, and these discussions are not yet concluded.
§ Colonel YATEConsidering the Conferences will be completed before the next Session, will the right hon. Gentleman not take action now?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt does not follow that action must depend on that statement.
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes it depend on this statement?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt does not follow in any case—in this subject or any other—that action may not be taken, although this statement has been made.
§ Mr. S. MacNEILLThe Amendment is worse than the original.
58. Major WOODasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government still adheres to the policy of the Paris Resolutions; and, if not, whether he can state the intentions of the Government on the matter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that statements are being made in the Press as to the intention of the Government with regard to carrying out those Resolutions, and will he take care that statements of that nature are made first to this House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo statements of that kind are being made with the authority of the Government.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt depends on whether they are false or not.