HC Deb 23 February 1921 vol 138 cc920-3
46. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British mandate in Mesopotamia has been published in America and a summary published in the Press in this country; whether he is prepared to place the mandate before the House; whether, in view of the manner in which such matters are brought before the public in this country, he will place before the House the terms of all other mandatory powers granted to the British Government; and whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing them before their final approval by the Council or the League of Nations?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he will place immediately on the Table of the House a copy of the draft mandate for Mesopotamia, and whether he will undertake not to submit it to the League of Nations until it has been approved by this House?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As promised, this question has been discussed by the British and Allied Governments, and we shall circulate the terms of these mandates, which have already been submitted to the League of Nations, to the House. I may add, however, that in our view this is very similar to the negotiation of a Treaty, which must be carried out by the Government of the day, but, of course, as in the case of a Treaty, Parliament would have, the right to refuse to adopt it.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will my right hon. Friend quite definitely arrange that this Treaty shall be submitted to Parliament for its approval after it has been before the League of Nations?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Certainly. If, as I think is probable, it is the desire of the House that it should be done, we shall do it.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is it not the case that we shall be unable to alter the terms of the Mandate, and can only reject it entirely; and, in the case of other Mandates we may assume, cannot we have the terms before Parliament before their submission to the Council of the League?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. It is, as I have said, in my view precisely similar to a Treaty. It cannot be negotiated by any House of Commons, but must be entrusted to a Government which has the confidence of the House of Commons. The House of Commons may refuse to accept the Mandate in the terms given, or it can reject it altogether. In that case it will go back to the League of Nations.

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Peace Treaty it is laid down that, if the Mandate is not accepted, that nation ceases to belong to the League of Nations; and, further, is he aware that the Council of the League of Nations have put off the discussion of these Mandates at the request of the United States, who are not a member of the League of Nations, while at the same time we are asked to give a blank cheque to our Foreign Minister which is not endorsed by this House, which has to pay the bill, not only in this year, but for many years to come?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is very much the same question. There must always be a blank cheque, to a certain extent, to the Government of the day. But the power of the House of Commons remains in every sense undiminished; it can refuse to accept the Mandate.

Major NALL

May I ask whether the terms of the Mandate are negotiated by the Government, as in the case of a Treaty, or whether they are imposed on the Government by this International Council?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is really the subject of negotiations. It is precisely the same as a Treaty. The terms of these Mandates have formed the subject of negotiations for many months with our Allies. It has gone to the League of Nations when it will be discussed, but finally the power will rest with the House of Commons.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Are we to understand that the Allied Draft Mandates, namely, the French Draft Mandate, will be published, as well as the British Draft Mandates?

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, out of five Mandates already given in December last, not one has been published in this country, and I cannot get a copy at the Vote Office?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have promised that they will be published.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an idea whether it will be possible for this House to decide, before the Treaty is executed, to what financial responsibility we are prepared to go? Cannot we discuss that first and leave the Government to discuss the details?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I quite see the force of that point, which has been considered by the Government, but it really is the same thing. Supposing this Mandate wore introduced into this House and received approval, then it goes to the League of Nations, not for discussion, but to accept or reject.

47. Mr. MYERS

asked the Prime Minister whether he can explain how it was that the draft of the British Mandate for Mesopotamia was first published by the "Philadelphia Ledger" and not by the League of Nations or the English Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The publication was unauthorised, and I am not aware of the method by which the newspaper obtained possession of it.