HC Deb 22 May 1919 vol 116 cc557-9
49. Mr. BOTTOMLEY

asked the Prime Minister whether the Peace Treaty with Germany has yet been signed?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No, Sir; the statement which appears in the Press as to the extension of the period is correct.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

In view of that fact, I take it that we may assume there are only seven more days before the Treaty will be signed—if it is signed—and in view of the statement that when it is signed this House will have no power to alter it, can he now see his way to give some opportunity to the House, before it is signed, of elucidating the financial clauses of the Treaty?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I can well understand and sympathise with the desire of the House to have a discussion on this subject, but, apart altogether from the question of whether it is desirable to have a discussion at all, until we know what the action of the Germans is going to be, the House must remember that we did not win this War entirely by ourselves, and we cannot make peace by ourselves. The question whether or not there should be a discussion was considered by the heads of the five Great Powers, and they unanimously came to the conclusion that a discussion until we knew the German answer would do harm, and we agreed definitely, so far as the power of the Government was concerned, that there would be no discussion. In these circumstances, I have no option but to say we cannot have one.

Lieut.-Colonel C. LOWTHER

Can it be derogatory to the British interests for the German people to know that the British House of Commons insists on the enemy countries paying the whole war debt when and if they are in a position to do so?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am sure the House will agree that in any case it would be a great mistake to discuss parts of the Treaty, and that if we discuss it at all we must discuss it as a whole. As I have pointed out, all the Allied Governments, rightly or wrongly—and I think rightly— have come to the conclusion that discussion would do harm until we know what action the Germans are going to take. In that case, so far as Government action is concerned, it is quite impossible for us to consent to a discussion.

Colonel LOWTHER

Will it not be too late when we know what action the Germans are going to take?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Of course it will be too late, but surely my hon. and gallant Friend must be aware that no Treaty could ever be made if it were to be made by a large body like the House of Commons. It can only be done by representatives who are trusted by them, and when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was last here I remember distinctly his saying this to the House: "Now is the time; it will be too late if you do not now show your confidence in those who represent you."

Sir F. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as we are concerned, we do not know the exact terms of the Peace Treaty, notwithstanding the fact that it has been communicated to the people of Germany?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have dealt with that so often that I can say nothing more. I thoroughly sympathise with the House of Commons in its desire to see the full terms of the Treaty. I have told the House so on more than one occasion. But surely, in a case of this kind, we must leave the decision to the men who are entrusted with the duty.

Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

In order to clear up this point, was the undertaking given by the Government that this House should discuss the Treaty in order to have an opportunity of making alterations or merely to discuss it before ratification?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Oh, no; long ago many questions were put to me on this subject, and I gave exactly the same answer as to-day. I gave an undertaking that no ratification would take place until this House had approved. More than that, in my opinion, it is impossible to do.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

In view of this remarkable statement, I am sorry to say that at the end of Questions I shall ask leave to move the adjournment of the House to call attention to it.