57. Major-General SEELYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Treaty of Mutual Assistance has, by direction of the last Assembly of the League of Nations, been circulated to the States members of the League for information and comment; whether he can inform the House how many States have replied; what is the general nature of their observations; and whether he can state the decision at which His Majesty's Government has arrived in this matter?
48. Mr. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Prime Minister if the Government has come to any decision as to its attitude with respect to the principles of the draft Treaty of the League of Nations; whether, in that case, he will state what its attitude is; and whether any opportunity will be afforded to the House before the Recess of discussing the subject?
§ 49. Mr. COSTELLOasked the Prime Minister whether he will state what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall answer these three questions together. The draft Treaty has been circulated to all States whether members of the League or not. So far as I am aware, only Esthonia, Latvia, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics have replied to the request for their observations. Bulgaria and Latvia approve the draft, the Soviets condemn it, and I am not aware of the nature of the other replies. As regards the attitude of His Majesty's Government in this matter, it is not yet possible to make any statement, as, amongst other reasons, the matter is still forming the subject of consultation with the Dominions. If discussion on the subject is required, opportunities are provided by the ordinary course of business.
Major-General SEELYThe right hon. Gentleman says that he cannot state the attitude of the Government on this question. Does he not agree that unless some step of this kind is taken, by some means of mutual disarmament, we are bound to go on arming, and is not the Government going to take any steps to prevent that catastrophe?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, I quite agree, but I am not at all convinced that the effect of this method would not be to increase armaments. I have said that I am not at all convinced. That does not mean that I think it will be so. But that is a point of great importance about which I would like to have some more information than that which has so far reached me. It certainly looks to me as though that would be the effect. In any event, I am convinced that this method is not the only method, and I doubt whether it is the best method of approaching the question.
§ Mr. A. CHAMBERLAINIs this one of the subjects which the right hon. Gentleman thinks is likely to be raised at the League of Nations meeting which he will attend; and, if so, will he undertake before leaving the country to make a statement to the House of Commons as to the general course he proposes to follow?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI assume this matter will be raised at the Assembly, because it has been referred to that body to deal with further, but, whether it is or not, I hope before the Assembly meets and before this House adjourns for its holiday, that a statement will be made by the Government on the subject.