39. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the admission of the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that that international body, composed chiefly of small nations, has no authority to make alterations in draft Mandates, which also it has no power to assign, it can discharge any and, if so, what functions of importance and of advantage to great nations?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Balfour)The statement of the Secretary-General to which the hon. Member refers deals only with the League, and not with the Council of the League of Nations. The smaller Powers are not in the majority as regards the suggestion that under the Covenant the smaller nations have not important functions, and that the advantage goes to the great nations. The Government are of opinion that all nations, great and small, who are members of the League are likely to gain by the closer intercourse and the increased opportunity of united action which the machinery of the League supplies.
Sir J. D. REESQuite apart from the pious aspiration contained in the answer to the question, what function of any importance is left to this body?
§ Mr. BALFOURI indulged in no aspiration, pious or impious. What I said was that, in my opinion, the machinery of the League did offer nations, great and small, an opportunity of co-operation which would be of great advantage to both.