§ 49. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Prime Minister whether, pending the issue of the promised White Paper, he will now inform the House what, if any, commitments have been offered or suggested with regard to the use of the British Navy by the representatives of the Government at Geneva?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald)It is proposed to lay at once a Paper comprising, in addition to the text of the Protocol, the resolutions of the Assembly and the Report submitted to that body on behalf of the First and Third Committees, which is in the nature of an explanatory statement. These documents should enable the House, while awaiting the Report of the British delegates, to form a comprehensive appreciation of the nature and effect of the provisions of the Protocol.
§ Commander BELLAIRSCould the Prime Minister say whether, before making the agreements at Geneva, they took steps to obtain proper naval advice which the Admiralty considered suitable, to advise them in their negotiations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is so. As a matter of fact, before the agreements were come to—before the matter was finally passed on to the Assembly—a special representative was sent from the Admiralty. I do hope hon. Members will not take as gospel any of the extraordinary statements which appeared in the newspapers while the meetings were taking place.