§ 54. Mr. EDWARD WOODasked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to 1295 attend the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in September next; and whether an opportunity will be given to the House of Commons during the present Session to discuss the policy of His Majesty's Government upon the various questions to be submitted to the Assembly?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope to be able to get to Geneva for the opening of the Assembly of the League of Nations in September. As regards the second part of the question, I propose to follow the usual practice and publish the Report as a White Paper.
§ Mr. WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to give an opportunity to the House to consider the matters that are to be brought before the Assembly of the League, in that respect following the example of all his predecessors?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend, of course, knows the details more than I do, as he was in it. But I do not think the precedent established was as stated. If it has been established, I am quite willing to do my best to meet it again. I would remind the House that the Agenda for the Conference in September will not be ready before I hope we rise for our holiday, and consequently a discussion on it will be very much a discussion in the air. My information is that what happened before was that the delegates met and reported, and if any question arose the House would then find opportunities for discussion.
§ Mr. WOODWe are at cross purposes. What I asked was whether the right hon. Gentleman would give an opportunity to the House to have a general discussion on League of Nations matters, in the course of which discussion many matters that would be considered at the Assembly would be brought into our debate, and whether the right hon. Gentleman would give such an opportunity in the ordinary course of House of Commons business?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf that is what was in my right hon. Friend's mind opportunity is given in the ordinary course of House of Commons business, on Supply and the Appropriation Bill.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman going to Geneva to remain 1296 throughout the Session of the Assembly as the representative of this country, or is he going only for special business? Will there be any other representative besides himself?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, there will be other representatives. I am afraid that it is impossible for me to stay at Geneva for three weeks and to take part in all the details of the discussions. I think it is very important that one or two Prime Ministers should go to Geneva. Exactly what our position will be there is at present a matter of consideration between ourselves.
§ Mr. HUGH O'NEILLIs the French Prime Minister also going to Geneva?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am very glad to say that it is the intention of the French Prime Minister to go, and although I cannot announce anyone else, yet I hope that we two will not be the only ones.