§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is now prepared to lay papers showing in a connected form the different proposals for the settlement of the reparations question made by the British Government since the summer of 1922 and whether he will also lay papers covering the same ground as the French Yellow Book on inter-Allied negotiations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERProposals for the settlement of the reparation question were put forward by His Majesty's Government on three occasions (1) in the course of the inter-Allied Conference held in London in August, 1922; (2) at the similar Conference held in Paris in January, 1923; and (3) in the Note addressed by my predecessor, Lord Curzon, to the French and Belgian Ambassadors at this Court on 11th August last.
The texts of the second and third of these proposals will be found in the Command Papers, 1812 and 1943, already laid before Parliament.
As regards the first proposal, correspondence has for some time been passing with the French and Belgian Governments as to publication of the records of the London Conference of August, 1923 His Majesty's Government have been willing to lay the complete records, but objections have been raised by the Belgian Government to the publication of the report of certain discussions which took place in informal and confidential conversations, on the ground that such publication would have the effect of impeding on future occasions a full and frank interchange of views in private between Allied Ministers, who would hesitate to say all that was in their minds, as they would never be sure whether their statements might not later be made public.
I had already decided to have the records laid, with the omissions desired by the Belgian Government.
I presume that in the last part of the question the right hon. Member refers to the Yellow Book on the subject of security just published. On this assumption, I am glad to inform him that as soon as His Majesty's Government learnt of the intention to publish the Yellow Book it was decided to lay the corresponding papers here, and that a Blue Book is accordingly in preparation.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. I think that he has met me fully. Am I right in supposing that he is speaking of the August negotiations of 1922, including the continuance of the negotiations in the same year, I think in October, when there were further conversations under the 1932 Coalition Government before the conversations with Mr. Bonar Law in London and in Paris in December and in January?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps my right hon. Friend will allow me to refresh my memory on that point. Provided that it is not contrary to the objections made by the Belgian Government, I will certainly do what he asks. I will make sure.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI only desire to make clear to the right hon. Gentleman that I do not ask for any account of Belgian or French conversations or proposals which those Governments may desire to withhold, but that I ask only for a clear statement of the proposals which were put forward by His Majesty's Government to which, I think, there can be no objection.
§ The PRIME MINISTERSo far as proposals were put before them in private conversation these, I think, would be covered by the Belgian reservations, but, if not, I shall be very glad to lay them. My desire is to lay everything. Perhaps my right hon. Friend will consult me in the matter. I am sure that we shall have no difficulty in coming to an agreement.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWould the Prime Minister not consider the laying of papers regarding reparations from an earlier period than August, 1922? Is there any reason why the papers regarding reparations should not cover the same period as the papers regarding securities, in reference to which a Yellow Book has just been issued by the French Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice. These are not questions that can be answered offhand.