HC Deb 02 June 1924 vol 174 c856
19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what obligations His Majesty's Government has entered into with regard to the Rumanian annexation of Bessarabia whether this country guarantees that annexation in any way; whether a treaty has been drawn up; whether it has been ratified by His Majesty's Government and by the other Governments concerned; whether it is now in operation; and whether it has been or will he laid before Parliament?

The PRIME MINISTER

The hon. and gallant Member will find a full reply to his question, except to parts four and five, if he will refer to Command Paper 1747 of 1922. The treaty has been ratified by the Governments of Great Britain, France and Rumania, but not by those of Italy and Japan, and it is therefore not yet in force.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think that it has been laid before Parliament. If it has been laid at all, it has been in the ordinary form. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will consult me.

Captain BERKELEY

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn by the Press to the very serious position on the Bessarabian frontier, and may we have an undertaking that no obligations will be undertaken by this country in that connection without the approval of Parliament?

The PRIME MINISTER

There are no military obligations involved in the treaty.