§ 64. Mr. MORELasked the Prime Minister whether Sir William Tyrrell was recently in Paris on behalf of His Majesty's Government; whether his mission concerned France's projected plans in connection with the Rhine provinces and the Ruhr; whether, in the course of his stay in Paris, Sir William Tyrrell saw the President of the French Republic; why this Foreign Office official was employed instead of the usual channel of communication; and whether he will inform the House what agreement has been suggested or arrived at between the two Governments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot undertake to give the House information respecting the movements of individual British officials. With regard to the last part of the question, as I have already stated, no agreement has been arrived at or even suggested. This is the subject which will be considered at the forthcoming Conference of the Allied Prime Ministers.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that we are entitled to know what the policy of the Government is on this very vital question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHow can I express the policy on proposals which are going to be made to me by other Governments before I have seen them?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCannot the right hon. Gentleman say what are the views of His Majesty's Government, or have not they got any?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey have many views, and it would take a very long time to express them.
Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI should like to ask the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement, before the House rises, with regard to these very important matters. We have not heard the views of His Majesty's Government on the questions of reparation and inter-Allied debts. I will not press it unduly, but I think my right hon. Friend will see that it is rather important that the House should hear from his own lips what are his views and the views of the Government on these questions, and that there should be an opportunity for us to discuss them before we separate, seeing that my right hon. Friend is about to attend an International Conference.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo one has had more experience than my right hon. Friend, both as to answering such questions and putting them. My answer must be what his would be in similar circumstances. I will do my best to make a statement if it be possible.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan we have an assurance that this country will not be committed to a line of action by the Prime Minister before the House knows what that policy is?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe House, of course, has the right not to be led into any new policy without being informed; but it is obvious also that no Government can carry on negotiations if it is to tie itself in every detail before they are begun.
Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI do not want to press my right hon. Friend too far, because I know the difficulties. I am not asking whether he is going to make a statement before he meets the Allied Prime Ministers on Saturday. That is not what I am asking. I realise the impossibility of that. I want TO ask whether it has not been the practice, after a Conference of Prime Ministers, 1986 for the Prime Minister of the day to make a statement to the House of Commons as to what passed, and whether he will not follow that, I think, reasonable practice and state to the House of Commons, within the limits of discretion, what the policy of the Government is.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhat the right hon. Gentleman suggests is perfectly reasonable and I shall certainly adopt it. As to the extent of the statement, it must, of course, depend upon circumstances.
§ Mr. A. CHAMBERLAINI do not want to press my right hon. Friend further, but if he finds it possible to make that statement, will he make it under conditions which will enable the House to debate it if they think it necessary?
§ Mr. SPEAKERFor the information of the House, I may say that I have already made arrangements that this matter may be discussed, if desired, on the Consolidated Fund Bill.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe two things stand together.