HC Deb 25 February 1924 vol 170 cc45-6
Mr. LLOYD GEORGE (by Private Notice)

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the important speech delivered by the Home Secretary (Mr. Arthur Henderson) at Burnley on Saturday when he indicated that it was the intention of the Government to take steps to revise the Treaty of Versailles in several cardinal respects; whether that declaration represents the policy of the Government; if so, what steps the Government intend to take to carry out that policy and whether they have communicated their intention to the other signatories of the Treaty?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have only seen what has been reported in the Press. The attitude and intention of the Government have been expressed in the statements I have made to this House and no change has taken place.

Mr. RONALD McNEILL

May we take it that the statement made by the Home Secretary is a decision of the Cabinet, or only the private opinion of the Home Secretary?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have only seen the Press reports, but there is no decision of the Government that has been taken except in accordance with the statements that I have made.

Mr. McNEILL

As this is a very important matter, is the House to understand that a right hon. Gentleman in the position of the Home Secretary publicly makes the statement, a most important statement, as to the revision of the Treaty of Versailles without consultation with the Prime Minister?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not know—I am not going to commit myself, whether the statement was made or not. I saw a statement in the Press. That statement, if made, was not a statement which has been passed by the Cabinet. The statements which I have made in the House and the action that I have taken are statements and action for which the Government are responsible.

Mr. N. MACLEAN

Arising out of the reply to the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George), is it not the case that the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs expressed his intention several times in the country to revise the Treaty of Versailles and that he also expressed it in this House?