HC Deb 12 February 1924 vol 169 cc739-40
Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

(by Private Notier) asked the Prime Minister whether he can assure the House that neither he nor any member of the Government is any longer in any way connected with the Labour and Socialist International, commonly known as the Sozialistisehe Arbeiter Internationale, the decisions of which on all international questions are by its constitution binding on the representatives of affiliated bodies?

The PRIME MINISTER

In accordance with the constitution of the International, which is not commonly known, however, as the Sozialistisehe Arbeiter Internationale, except for purposes of prejudice, no member of a Government can serve as a member of its committees; the Labour party is affiliated to this body and will carry out its obligations as stated in the programmes of the party issued to the British electors at the time of elections. The obligations of a society affiliated to the International are similar to those undertaken by States on becoming members of the League of Nations. The affiliation is purely voluntary and can be terminated at any time should necessity arise.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the House to understand that, while the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues have ceased to be members of the Executive of this international body, they are still associated with it and adhere to the clause in its constitution which provides that the decisions of the international body shall override the decisions of any of the affiliated nations whose representatives are on that body?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think that the hon. Member rather misunderstands the nature of the clause to which he refers. The clause simply says that the decision of the International shall guide the national bodies affiliated to it. I f these bodies disagree with the decision of the International they are always in the position of being able to withdraw at any moment.

Sir W. DAVISON

Ts the right hon. Gentleman aware that the clause to which he refers ends with the saying that this is a self-imposed limitation to the autonomy of the affiliated organisations, and that this implies that—

Mr. SPEAKER

This matter cannot be debated by question and answer.