HC Deb 15 November 1920 vol 134 cc1516-7
45. Major BARNES

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the French and Belgian Governments have communicated to the League of Nations the correspondence exchanged between the two Governments concerning the agreement of 17th September last, but have not disclosed the actual text of the agreement; whether such communication can be considered equivalent to registration of the agreement with the League, as required by the covenant; and, if not, whether the British representative on the Council of the League will be instructed to bring forward the necessity for the registration of the text of the agreement?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is, I understand, the intention of the Governments named to communicate the correspondence to the League of Nations. With regard to the second part of the question, this seems to me to be a matter for the League to judge. The answer to the last part is in the negative.

Major BARNES

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what opinion has been put forward by the British representatives on that matter? Will they support any movement of the League in the direction I have indicated?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The principle upon which we appoint our delegates to the League is not that they go with mandates, but we assume that they are capable of exercising their own judgment.

Major BARNES

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the general feeling of the Cabinet with regard to this question?

Mr. BONAR LAW

There has been no expression of the general feeling of the Cabinet on this matter.

Major BARNES

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an expression of opinion now?