HC Deb 29 October 1919 vol 120 cc659-60
51. Lieut.-Colonel AUBREY HERBERT

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to give the House of Commons fuller information than that supplied during the last Session, particularly with regard to foreign affairs?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Government will always be ready and anxious to give the House all possible information on every subject including foreign affairs, except, of course, in cases where it would not be in the public interest to do so.

Lieut.-Colonel HERBERT

Is it not a fact that this House has been kept in complete ignorance with regard to our Near Eastern obligations, and is it possible for this House to control the finances until it knows what our military operations are in those countries?

Mr. BONAR LAW

There is a great deal in what my hon. and gallant Friend has said, but he will not forget that the Treaty with Turkey is not yet arranged, and the considerations which made it so dangerous to discuss this question while negotiations were going on still apply.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

When Peace is finally ratified, will the principle of open covenants openly arrived at be adopted by His Majesty's Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is rather a big question to expect me to answer offhand.