§ 72. Captain W. BENNasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Nauru Island agreement was submitted to the recent meeting of the Council of the League of Nations; and, if not, for what reason?
Colonel WILSONNo, Sir. The agreement is, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, not one which requires to be submitted to the Council of the League.
§ Captain BENNIs Nauru Island held under mandate, and has the mandate been submitted to the Council of the League of Nations?
§ Lord R. CECILMay I ask the Leader of the House whether it is the considered policy of the Government that this agreement as to Nauru Island is not to be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is hardly possible to expect a reply by way of question and answer on a subject which has been fully debated.
§ Lord R. CECILMay I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that his colleague has just announced that the agreement will not be submitted to the League of Nations, and, if that be so, the situation is an extremely serious one.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI myself stated in Debate that, in my opinion, it was a commercial agreement, and that a commercial undertaking is not a subject for the League of Nations.
§ Captain BENNWill the mandate under which the Government hold Nauru Island be submitted, or has it been submitted, to the Council of the League, and, if not, why not?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe mandate under which we hold this industrial concern—for that is what it is—will be treated in exactly the same way as the others.
§ Captain BENNWhen the Council of the League of Nations has met, and the agreement is in working order, why has it not been submitted to the League, if we are in earnest on the matter?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis agreement was discussed in the House less than a week ago.