HC Deb 24 June 1920 vol 130 cc2360-1
29. Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the Prime Minister when the mandates for Togoland, Cameroons, and Tanganyika Territory will be drafted, and who by; and whether any representation regarding the terms for the mandates for these territories from persons interested in the development of these territories should be addressed to him or to which Department of the Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

The terms of the mandates under which the Togoland, Cameroons, and Tanganyika Territories will be held are under consideration by the Drafting Committee which is attached to the Conference of Ambassadors in Paris. Representations concerning them can be addressed to the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office, but I would ask hon. Members to bear in mind that the terms of these mandates in their general lines have already been fixed by Article 22 of the Treaty of Versailles.

Captain W. BENN

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the terms of the mandate have been settled by the Peace Conference, or should they be referred to the League of Nations Council?

The PRIME MINISTER

I said that the general terms have been fixed by the Treaty of Versailles. One draft will be submitted to the League of Nations.

Captain BENN

That is to say, the draft is being prepared, not by the League of Nations at all?

Lord R. CECIL

Will the Prime Minister consider the desirability of publishing the draft of the mandate before the terms are finally settled by the Council of the League, in the same way that the Covenant was published before the terms were accepted?

The PRIME MINISTER

I will consider that.

Sir S. HOARE

Will the terms be embodied in a Bill to be presented to the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

It will not be necessary to have a Bill.

42. Mr. KILEY

asked whether the Council of the League of Nations has discussed the question how the cost of administering mandated territories is to be met; if so, whether any general principles have been formulated?

The PRIME MINISTER

As far as I am aware, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.