§ 25. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Russian Soviet Government have made a grant of 150,000 roubles to each of the Soviet delegates who are to attend the Genoa Conference for the purchase of suitable attire to wear during the said Conference; whether any grants out of public funds are being made to any of the British delegates or officials attending the Conference; and what is the estimated total charge on public funds in connection with the Conference, and on what Vote it will be borne?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, it is not anticipated that the charge will be great, as the British delegates are to be the guests of the Italian Government. Certain members of the subordinate staff attached to the British delegation are receiving a small outfit allowance of £15 each. The travelling and incidental expenses of the British delegation will be borne on the Vote for Diplomatic and Consular Services.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the hon. Gentleman say whether this £2,000,000 that this Conference is costing the Italian Government will be set off against the debt of that Government to this country?
§ Mr. MILLSWould the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of accepting the red waistcoat of the hon. Member for West Kensington (Sir W. Davison) as part of the equipment on that occasion?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not a fact that the present exchange is about a million and a half roubles to the £, and that, therefore, the clothing grant amounts to 1s. 11¾d.?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI am not in a position to answer the question of the hon. and learned Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison).
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the hon. Gentleman not aware, arising out of the question of the hon. Gentleman the Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills), that a red 1824 waistcoat is a recognised covering for a warm heart, while a red tie is a badge for a hot head?
39. Mr. L. MALONEasked the Prime Minister what advisers, outside the official delegation, will be consulted by the British section at Genoa; what is their nationality; and what interests do they represent?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA number of representatives of various commercial and financial interests have already been consulted in London. Should it prove necessary further advice will be sought during the Conference, but as to this I cannot speak definitely as yet.
§ 43. Mr. RAPERasked the Prime Minister whether, since the objection to the League of Nations being associated with the Genoa Conference has now disappeared, in view of the fact that the Government of the United States is not taking any active part and that Soviet Russia is participating in the Warsaw Health Conference at present being held under the auspices of the League of Nations, steps can even now be taken to associate the League of Nations with the Conference?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe House has already been informed that arrangements have been made to ensure that there will be at the disposal of the Conference such technical information as the League may possess and which may relate to the work of the Conference.
§ 44. Mr. RAPERasked the Prime Minister if he can now state the names of all the persons who will comprise the Russian delegation at the Genoa Conference?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no information beyond that which I communicated in my reply to my hon. Friend on the 13th March, except that M. Lenin does not appear to be included in the party, numbering 60, which has already left Russia for Genoa. The names of the nine other delegates referred to in my previous reply are as follow:
- C. G. Rakovsky.
- R. Narimanow.
- F. G. Moivani.
- A. A. Baczadaane.
- F. Ehodjaef.
- J. D. Janseof.
- A. G. Schliapnikof.
- T. V. Sapronof.
- G. E. Raodsoutak.
§ 47. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister whether all the countries entitled to appoint two delegates each to the Genoa Conference, namely, countries numbered five to 23, inclusive, in paragraph 2 of Sub-section (e) of the Cannes Resolution, have decided to attend the Conference and have appointed their delegates; and, if not, which of those States have not yet accepted or not yet appointed delegates?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe countries referred to have all intimated their intention to attend the Conference. Finland, Switzerland, Esthonia, Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, Latvia, Rumania, Jugoslavia and Greece have not, however, so far as I am aware, as yet appointed their delegates.
§ 48. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister how many meetings have been held by the Drafting Committee appointed by the Supreme Council, at its meeting held at 11 a.m. on Friday, 13th January, 1922, to draw up the detailed agenda and draft resolutions for the Genoa Conference; whether this Drafting Committee has now completed its labours; and whether the draft agenda and draft resolutions will be laid before both Houses of Parliament before 10th April?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Drafting Committee referred to was merged in the Conference of Experts which recently met in London and held 14 meetings; the experts have now completed their labours, and have reported to their several Governments. I understand that it is not proposed to publish the reports of the experts.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs the agenda of the Conference going to be published before the Conference meets?