§ 36. Captain BERKELEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign 25 Affairs whether the Government has yet come to a decision upon the offer of the French Government to refer to arbitration the question whether France had the right to conscript British subjects resident in Tunis; if so, whether the decision is in the affirmative; and, if in the affirmative, whether the question will be submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice or to what arbitral tribunal?
§ Mr. McNEILLAs a result of further negotiations which have taken place between the two Governments, since the offer of the French Government, referred to by the hon. Member, was made, an agreement has been arrived at on this question which will be shortly embodied in an exchange of Notes. This agreement will render unnecessary the reference of the case on its merits to the Permanent Court of International Justice at The Hague, and will be published as soon as the text of the Notes to be exchanged have been communicated to that body.
§ Captain BERKELEYIs the effect of that agreement that conscription is to cease or not?
§ Mr. McNEILLI am afraid that I must ask my hon. Friend to wait until the agreement has been communicated to the Government, and made known.