HC Deb 02 March 1921 vol 138 cc1798-800
59. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether consideration of the Mesopotamian Mandate has been delayed by the League of Nations at the request of the American Government; and, if so, whether he will publish the correspondence on the subject?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The decision of the Council of the League to postpone the consideration of the Mandates, including that of Mesopotamia, till its next meeting was taken independently of any request from the American Government, and was concurred in by the British representative. The decision regarding the publication of correspondence between the American Government and the Council rests with the latter.

Lord R. CECIL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether consideration of the Palestine Mandate has also been postponed?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I understand so.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

And the East African Mandate?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, approximately, when the next meeting will be held?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It will be in two or three months, but I do not know the exact date.

60. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Mandates after agreement between the Government and the League of Nations will be submitted to this House in the form of Bills, or in what manner provision will be made to enable the House to amend them in regard to financial or other details?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think that it is premature to answer this question until the Mandates have been dealt with by the League of Nations.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Will the Government take into consideration the precedent of the action of the Australian Parliament with regard to New Guinea, which is embodied in the New Guinea Act, recently passed?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that as the Mandate will not come to this House until after it has been accepted we shall, in some way or other, retain control of the expenditure that is necessary under the Mandate?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think that I can say more than I have said in the answer to previous questions. It is obvious that the final control must rest with the House of Commons.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I want the right hon. Gentleman to go a bit further, and say that it is not a mere question of putting the Mandate before us as a whole and accepting it or rejecting it. We may want the Mandate with amendments.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not see how that could be done. What would happen would be this: Assuming that the Mandate is presented as a Treaty would be presented, if the House of Commons does not like it and says "we would prefer it in this form," the Government of the day would then re-present it in the form in which the House of Commons would like it.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the Australian Government and Parliament did actually amend the forced labour clause of the Mandate with respect to New Guinea, and amended it in a progressive direction?

Mr. BONAR LAW

From what I have said it is obvious that this House would have precisely the same powers.