§ 16. Sir GEOFFREY BUTLERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Reports of other countries have been published, he will at an early date make public the views of His Majesty's Government on the treaty of mutual assistance?
§ The PRIME MINISTERSteps are being taken to lay before the House the text of the letter to the Secretary-General of the League, embodying the views of His Majesty's Government.
§ Sir G. BUTLERWill the right hon. Gentleman publish the French, Italian and Belgian replies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot promise, but I will consider that.
§ Sir ELLIS HUME-WILLIAMS (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether the report appearing in the London Press on Saturday, to the effect that the observations of the Government on the draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance have now been furnished to the General Secretary of the League of Nations, is correct; and, if so, how soon he will be able to make his promised statement on the subject in the House of Commons and will it be made under circumstances which permit of a Debate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Steps are being taken to lay before the House the text of the letter 856 defining the views of His Majesty's Government on the draft Treaty, and it should be in the hand of hon. Members in a few days. If there be a desire for a Debate on this subject, it can be raised on the Appropriation Bill or on the Motion for Adjournment.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be better to communicate these matters to the House sooner than to the Press?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that that arises here. It happened to appear in the Press, but, before it did appear in the Press, steps were taken to get it circulated as a White Paper.
§ Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSBeyond laying the Paper on the Table, does the Prime Minister propose to make any statement which can be discussed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that the Paper itself is sufficient for a. statement, and, if a discussion be required, one of the several opportunities which still remain to hon. Members can be seized, before the end of the Session. I think the House will find that our views are quite fully expressed in the letter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir SAMUEL HOAREIs the right hon. Gentleman including in the White Paper the communications from the Dominions and to the Dominions on the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not considered that. I do not know that it would be desirable. I am quite willing to do what the House would require. My instructions were simply to publish the letter.
§ Sir S. HOAREIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leader of the House was asked a question the other day on the subject and gave an undertaking that these communications to and from the Dominions would be published? Will the Prime Minister, therefore, undertake to publish them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am so sorry. That escaped my observation, but I am perfectly certain that if that statement were made the Department will see that it is carried out. At any rate, I will see to it myself now.
§ Mr. J. HARRISDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he promised to make a statement on the question of the draft Treaty?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes; the statement is in the letter. If I were to make a statement, say by way of opening a Debate, I could only go over exactly the same ground as the letter.
§ Mr. HARRISSurely, the statement would include, would it not, some indication of the Government's policy in regard to disarmament?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is in the letter.
§ Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSCan the Prime Minister say anything as to the circumstances in which the Report appeared in the Press before this House knew anything of the contents of the document?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should be very glad if I could solve this constantly recurring mystery, but I cannot do it. I understand that it has not been merely our experience, but that our predecessors have been bothered in exactly the same way.