HC Deb 12 November 1918 vol 110 cc2490-1
48. Major NEWMAN

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the disappointment caused to the country at the non-inclusion of a representative of our Overseas Dominions at the recent Versailles Conference; and will this omission be rectified at any similar Conference which it may be necessary to summon?

62. Mr. MACMASTER

asked the Prime Minister if the self-governing Dominions overseas were represented at and participated in the recent discussions in Paris with regard to an armistice; if so, who respectively represented those Dominions; and, in any event, will these Dominions be fully consulted in regard to the terms of peace and enabled to be represented at the Peace Conference, and to participate in the discussions previous to the signing of the Peace, or to the making of any other arrangements for securing the preservation of the peace of the world in the future?

64. Colonel Sir F. HALL

asked the Prime Minister whether steps were taken to ascertain the views of the Dominion Governments principally concerned before the recent Conference at Versailles at which the terms were agreed upon which the Allies were prepared to grant an armistice; and, if not, whether at any future important conferences arrangements will be made for the opinion of the Dominions to be represented, in view of the efforts and sacrifices made by them in the present War?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement which appeared in the Press on Saturday, in which the position is fully explained.

Mr. MACMASTER

Is it not a fact that the statement which appeared in the Press on Saturday made no reference to the representation of the Dominions at the Paris Conference; and will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Dominions were directly represented at that Conference, when the question of the fourteen points of President Wilson was under consideration?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No; they were not. It must be obvious to my hon. Friend that the Dominions, as a whole, could not possibly be there. A definite promise was given by this Government that they would have their full share in the Peace negotiations. The Armistice terms is quite a different subject.

Colonel LOWTHER

Why was not Mr. Hughes, who was in this country, not invited?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I really do not think one can go into details. I do not think it would be wise for me to add anything.

Mr. MACMASTER

Are not the Peace negotiations perfectly distinct from the question which was under consideration at the Conference, that being how far the Conference was able to assent to the terms laid down by President Wilson—the fourteen points?

Mr. BONAR LAW

In my view there is no real connection between the Peace Conference and the Armistice terms, because with the exception of one clause everything that the Allies and ourselves and the Dominions have ever asked can be claimed under these conditions.