27. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister if he will say when the Motion in connection with the proposed Genoa Conference will be placed upon the Paper?
§ 32. Lord R. CECILasked the Prime Minister whether the questions of the reductions of armaments or of the payment of reparation by Germany or of Allied debts are to be considered at Genoa; and whether any Papers dealing with the proceedings at Genoa will be laid upon the Table before the proposed Debate on the subject?
§ 36. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the French Government that any decision of the Genoa Conference, as far as France is concerned, will be subject to ratification by the French Senate and Chamber; and whether he can give the same assurance on behalf of His Majesty's Government?
§ 39. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he will stipulate that the delegates of the Russian Soviet Government give a definite and categorical acceptance of the conditions contained in the letter inviting them to attend the Conference at Genoa before they are admitted to the Conference, having regard to the fact that no reference to these conditions has been made by the Soviet Government in their reply intimating that delegates representing the Soviet Government would attend the Conference?
§ 43. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will table the Motion to be debated on 3rd April not later than Tuesday, in order to give hon. Members full opportunity of considering with their constituents whether the Motion invites the House to express its confidence in the specific policy to be pursued at Genoa, or whether it implies a vote of general confidence in the policy and administration of the Prime Minister?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA full statement of the policy of His Majesty's Government at the Genoa Conference will be made in the Debate on Monday next. I hope to announce the terms of the Resolution on which that discussion will be taken on Wednesday or Thursday. I am considering the laying of Papers.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYIn view of the unprecedented action of the Government in moving a Vote of Confidence in themselves will the right hon. Gentleman put the Motion on the Paper not later than Wednesday night?
§ Lord R. CECILThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. Can he give me an answer, not in reference to the policy of the British Govern- 935 ment, but what is going to be discussed at Genoa, which, I understand, has already been settled?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think it is better to make the whole statement in the Debate this day week. I am considering whether in the meantime papers can be laid.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWould it not be better to have two days for the discussion?
§ Lord R. CECILI will raise this question again next Wednesday.
§ Sir W. DAVISONArising out of Question No. 39, did the Soviet delegation say a single word as to accepting the conditions laid down when they said they would attend the Conference?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThese matters can be dealt with in the Debate on Monday next. I am not prepared to deal with them by question and answer now.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCould we have two days for the Debate?
§ 33. Major GLYNasked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to consider matters affecting the Near East at the forthcoming Conference at Genoa; whether the satisfactory settlement of terms of peace between Turkey and Greece is an essential fact precedent to any settlement of international and commercial affaire in the Near East; and whether the Conference now assembled in Paris considering the revision of the Treaty of Sèvres is expected to come to any decision before the Genoa Conference is held?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. While a settlement between Turkey and Greece is most desirable, I cannot admit that it is an essential condition precedent to the Conference at Genoa. The Paris Conference concluded its sittings yesterday.
§ 35. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister exactly how the staff of the British Empire delegation at Genoa will be composed?
45. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Dominion Governments will be individually represented at the Genoa Conference; and, if not, what steps have been or will be taken to ascertain their views on the question of the formal recognition of the Soviet Government in Russia, particularly in the case of South Africa, where Bolshevist activities directed from Moscow have recently been prominent?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Government of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa were invited to send representatives to the Genoa Conference, and have accepted. The Government of New Zealand have asked that they may be represented by the delegates of His Majesty's Government if their representative does not arrive in time. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman also take cognisance of the decision of this House at the time of the Prinkipo Conference when a very emphatic verdict was given?