HC Deb 21 March 1922 vol 152 cc232-3
48. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any alteration in the date of the Genoa Conference, or in the arrangements for its assembly; whether the agenda has yet been drawn up; if so, whether it can be laid upon the Table; and whether he can yet state the names of the British representatives to attend the Genoa Conference?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)

No, Sir, the Conference will take place, at Genoa on the 10th April as arranged. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on 6th March, to which up to date there is nothing to add. As regards the last part of the question, the representatives of Great Britain will be the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I should like to take this opportunity of stating to the House that the Prime Minister, after the rest which, under medical advice, he has been compelled to take, will be back in his place in this House upon the 3rd April, and will at once take the opinion of the House on the policy of the Government in regard to the Conference at Genoa.

Mr. CLYNES

Pending the fuller announcement to be made by the Prime Minister, might I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can give any information as to whether the agenda for Genoa has been in any way limited in deference to French opinion, and whether any state- ment can be made on the representation at the Genoa Conference of Russia and Germany?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have nothing to add to what is already known as regards the representation of Russia and Germany, and nothing to add to what I have already said in regard to the preparation of the agenda. The sketch agenda arranged at Cannes was made public at the time. Further examination of the proposals to be laid before the Conference when it is proceeding is now being made by experts of certain of the Powers in London, and their labours are not yet concluded.

Mr. CLYNES

May I ask, further, whether the statement to be made by the Prime Minister will be made in relation to any Motion to be placed on the Order Paper?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, Sir, certainly. We intend to put on the Paper a Motion which will clearly raise the question whether the Government in this matter possees the confidence of the House or not. The whole House will recognise that it would be impossible for us to ask the Prime Minister to go to Genoa if there were any doubt about the authority which he possessed.

Captain BENN

Has the Leader of the House communicated to the Prime Minister the result of the recent meeting of his own followers?