HC Deb 27 March 1922 vol 152 cc930-1
38. Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the Prime Minister whether he authorised the publication, on Friday last, of a memorandum circulated by him to the Peace Conference on 25th March, 1919, as a Command Paper, No. 1614; what is the purpose of publishing this confidential document now, seeing that so many of its proposals were superseded by the Treaty of Versailles; and whether he now proposes to revert to the policy outlined in the memorandum?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Repeated requests for presentation of the document to Parliament were made in this House in consequence of its publication abroad in a book written by an Italian statesman.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Are we to understand that the publication had no connection with the Genoa Conference?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No connection whatever. After the publication of Signor Nitti's book, I was asked if I would lay Papers in this House. My first answer, I think, was that the Government, in view of the publication of various papers in various countries abroad, were considering the publication of documents on the subject. Then the hon. Gentleman opposite pressed me for the publication of this particular document, and I accordingly laid the Paper giving this document.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The spirit which informs the document which has been laid is the spirit which animated His Majesty's Government throughout the whole of the negotiations.

Mr. FOOT

Can the right hon. Gentleman also have published the reply to that Memorandum by the Prime Minister of France at the time?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

It is not customary to publish international documents of this kind without previous consultation with the other Powers concerned, and I believe that it was understood at the time of the Peace Conference that all these matters should be treated as confidential. Certain publications having taken place abroad, including the publication of the Memorandum of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, we thought that it was proper that this should be published.

Mr. AMMON

Are we to understand that other Powers broke confidence?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not want to be involved in a rather invidious controversy. Partial publication has taken place in various other countries of documents laid before the Conference.