§ 4. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the increasing importance of the work carried out by the League of Nations, the Government have in contemplation any further extension of the provision made for such work; and whether the Government will consider the necessity of establishing a special Department at the Foreign Office to deal with the important questions which now come before the League of Nations?
§ Mr. PONSONBYAlter most careful consideration of all the factors involved the conclusion has been reached that the establishment of a special Department at the Foreign Office would not be the most satisfactory way of dealing with League of Nations work. Under the present system all questions of a general nature are dealt with by the same Department, while questions affecting individual countries are divided geographically among the Departments responsible for those countries, thus ensuring full knowledge of the points at issue. The Lord President of the Council, who is the permanent representative of His Majesty's Government on the Council of the League, has a room at the Foreign Office, and the services of two officials on the permanent staff are at his disposal. I do not think that any better arrangement could be devised at present, but consideration will be given from time to time to the whole question.
§ Mr. J. HARRISDoes the work of the International Labour Office come within the Department of the hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. PONSONBYNo, Sir.
§ 5. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state whether any nations have special Departments connected with their Foreign Offices for work connected with the League of Nations?
§ Mr. PONSONBYA communication has been addressed to His Majesty's representatives abroad, but information on the subject is still being awaited.