§ 30. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to submit for the consideration and approval of this House all international obligations which may be incurred by this country by means of treaties, agreements, understandings, or conversations with the Government of any foreign Power?
§ 34. Captain BERKELEYasked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of a treaty or other international understanding being entered into between the Powers now conferring at Lausanne, the same will be submitted to the House of Commons for discussion and approval prior to its ratification?
§ 44. Mr. MORELasked the Prime Minister whether an early opportunity will be given to this House to discuss the question of submitting to this House before ratification all treaties with a foreign Power or Powers involving the potential use of the armed forces of the Crown; and whether an early opportunity will be given to this House to discuss the desirability of all conventions, agreements, or understandings of any kind involving the potential use of the armed forces of the Crown being regarded as invalid unless submitted to, and approved by, this House after the fullest discussion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI realise the desirability of keeping Parliament as fully informed as possible of any obligations into which His Majesty's Government may enter by means of treaties or other similar engagements; but I am not prepared to commit myself to the grave constitutional change proposed by the hon. Members, which is particularly unsuitable to be dealt with in the way of question and answer.
§ Mr. PONSONBYWill the Prime Minister allow a day in the course of the Session for the discussion of this most important matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI certainly cam or promise a day during this Session, but if we live there will be plenty of opportunities later.
§ 45. Mr. MORELasked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to place upon the Table of this House the text of any existing treaties, conventions, arrangements, or understandings of any kind whatsoever with a foreign Power or Powers, committing this country in obligations involving war, or which may be open lo such interpretation, and of which this House and the country have at present no knowledge?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe object desired by the hon. Member is attained by Article 18 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, to which His Majesty's Government have strictly conformed. I know of no other unpublished treaties or similar engagements, to which His Majesty's Government are a party, which involve this country in such obligations as those to which the hon. Member refers.