29. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give to the House with regard to the progress of events at the Genoa Conference?
§ 48. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the critical news from Genoa in the Press, which is the only source of information available to the House, and of the fear which is felt by the majority of the people of this country that theentente between England and France is seriously endangered, he has any statement to make as to the proceedings of the Genoa Conference during the latter part of the week ending 13th May; and whether the House of Commons will be given an early opportunity of debating the question and of being fully informed of the proceedings of the Conference up to date?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe reply of the Soviet Government to the Memorandum of the 3rd May has been received, and has been carefully examined by the Powers, and at the time that my latest information was sent off it seemed likely that all the Powers would be agreed as to the proper method of treating it. But I have no official information later than Saturday evening.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTWill papers be laid before the House with regard to the proceeding at Genoa? At the present moment they are in rather a confused state.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have, of course, laid the paper which was communicated to the Soviet representative, and there can be no objection to laying the reply of the Russian representative, although the substance of it has already appeared in the Press. I should prefer, however, to wait until the documents are received. Beyond that I cannot go until the Conference has finished its work. I have communicated with the Prime Minister on this subject.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEWill the House have an opportunity of debating the whole question of Genoa in view of the fact that the only result up to the present is an Anglo-French disagreement and a Russo-German agreement?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAs only a few summaries have appeared in the Papers, would it not be a convenience if Papers could be laid?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI should prefer delaying Papers for a day or two, if by that means I am able to lay at the same time the reply of the Powers.
§ Mr. HOWARD GRITTENCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the proceedings at Genoa are likely to terminate?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.
§ 35. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether the Bolshevist delegates at Genoa have at any time categorically accepted the Cannes Resolutions and the conditions attached thereto since the opening of the International Conference?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. M. Tchitcherin, speaking on behalf of the Russian Delegation at the first Plenary Session, stated that they adopted the Cannes Resolutions in principle, while reserving the right to present on their own part Supplementary Articles and Amendments to the existing Articles.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEHas not Genoa shown that it is impossible to negotiate with the sanguinary scoundrels of the Soviet?