§ 50. Mr. G. BARNESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that non-ratification of the Statute of the permanent Court of International Justice by the States whose representatives signed the Protocol would render impossible the constitution of the Court by the Assembly at its meeting in September next, His Majesty's Government will use its good offices with the other States, signatories of the said Protocol, to secure early ratification?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is not necessary to take any such step as is proposed 226 in the question. The Council of the League of Nations, on whom this duty properly devolves, have issued an urgent appeal to all members of the League to expedite their signature and ratification. I do not think that isolated action of a similar character by one of the States interested would add to the strength of that appeal, and there seems no reason to doubt that sufficient ratifications will be deposited by 1st August to enable the Court to be brought into being at the next meeting of the Assembly.
51. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister if he will give the House any information regarding the probable cost of the proposed permanent Court of International Justice, the jurisdiction which this tribunal will possess, and the manner in which such judgments as it may deliver will be enforced?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI regret that I am not in a position to furnish information as to the probable cost of the permanent Court of International Justice. No doubt provisional estimates will be submitted to the Assembly in September next should the Court have been constituted by then. I would refer my hon. Friend to the copy of the Statute of the proposed Court in the Library of the House as regards the latter parts of his question.