HC Deb 05 August 1925 vol 187 cc1333-4
4. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the prospects of ratification by the French Government of the Root resolutions, providing for the safety of the passengers and crews of merchant vessels against air, surface, or submarine operations, which was agreed to by M. Briand's delegation at Washington?

Mr. McNEILL

Nothing further has been done in the matter since my reply to the hon. and gallant Member of the 9th June.

Commander BELLAIRS

Does the failure of France to ratify absolve the other Powers from the consequences of their ratification? Do they all have to ratify?

Mr. McNEILL

I think they all have to ratify together.

Commander BELLAIRS

The right hon. Gentleman said the Powers would have to convene a conference to make any remonstrance to France. Has he had any official communication of any remonstrance being addressed to France because of the four years' delay?

Mr. McNEILL

So far as I recollect, there has been no such remonstrance.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Can we not have a war with France and have done with in?

12. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the obligations undertaken by the Powers that have ratified the Root Resolutions, agreed to at Washington, are conditional upon their ratification by all the signatories; and if he has received any official notification of any representations made by the Government of the United States of America to France with regard to the delay in ratifying the Root Resolutions as signed by all the Powers at the Washington Conference?

Mr. McNEILL

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.

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