HC Deb 02 October 1924 vol 177 cc314-6
50 and 107. Mr. J. HARRIS

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is proposed to make a statement to Parliament upon the work accomplished at the Council and Assembly meetings of the League of Nations, in circumstances which will give Members an opportunity of discussing the work of the British delegation;

(2) whether the Lord President of the Council informed the League of Nations that Great Britain would at the right time produce a specific scheme upon disarmament; and whether, seeing the great public interest which is universally felt upon the obligations of the covenant to limit armaments, he will lay this, specific scheme of His Majesty's Government before Parliament at an early date?

55. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement as to the extent to which this country is committed to use coercive methods against nations refusing to arbitrate their differences; and whether the use of coercive methods is contemplated against nations who are not members of the League of Nations, if they refuse arbitration?

56. Mr. PENNY

asked the Prime Minister whether he will inform the House what British naval and military commitments, if any, are contemplated for the' League of Nations in view of his statement that he would not pledge Britain to, intervene on behalf of the League in Europe by force of arms; and is he aware of what the Lord President of the Council has stated as principal British delegate to the Assembly?

Mr. CLYNES

It is quite impossible to deal piecemeal, by way of question and answer, with a subject of such magnitude as the work accomplished by the present Assembly of the League. All I can say at present is that the protocol embodying the arrangements which are the issue of that work is not binding on any Government until its formal approval has been given. Our representatives at Geneva have made it clear repeatedly that such approval will only be given after full consideration by Parliament. An opportunity for discussion will be found as soon as possible.

Viscount CURZON

With particular reference to Question No. 56, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have made any conditional promises with regard to the use of the British Navy?

Mr. CLYNES

I have no report on the facts beyond what has appeared in the Press, and those reports I do not accept.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

As this is a matter of great importance, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, as the information available in the Press is very conflicting, whether he will lay upon the Table an official statement of what has been said by the British delegates upon this subject at Geneva? I do not ask for unnecessary details, but for a clear statement of the policy pursued by the British delegates, and by Lord Parmoor in particular.

Mr. CLYNES

It is not only proper but necessary to supply such a statement for the purposes of Parliamentary discussion.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

When may we expect to have that statement?

Mr. CLYNES

I cannot say, but there will be no delay.

Mr. J. HARRIS

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to that part of Question 107 which asks that the specific proposals of His Majesty's Government upon disarmament may be laid before this House?

Mr. CLYNES

Certainly. Any line of policy laid down by the representatives of the Government on that question would form part of the Report referred to.

Commander BELLAIRS

In view of the great importance of the decision affecting the British Navy, may I ask whether steps were taken to obtain from the Admiralty the naval advice which the Admiralty considered adequate on the spot?

Mr. CLYNES

I should require notice of any Departmental question of that kind.

Mr. HARRIS

My question was not answered with regard to the specific proposals stated to be in possession of His Majesty's Government as issued in the journal of 12th September..

Mr. CLYNES

If my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question, I will supply the fullest information.

Major COLFOX

Does the policy announced by Lord Parmoor represent the considered policy of the Cabinet, and, if not, what becomes of the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility!

Mr. CLYNES

That subject will form part of the discussion when the right time arrives.

Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay this information before the House of Commons not later than Wednesday next?