§ 1. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any treaties now in force to which this country is a party which impose on this country in any eventualities the obligation to undertake warlike obligations; and, if so, whether he will furnish a list of such treaties?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Austen Chamberlain)I invite the hon. Member to refer to the answer given to the former Member for North Bristol by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, in reply to the same question on the 12th March, 1924. The situation is unchanged.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the statement made by the late Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs in April last year, in which he said that he was aware that attempts were being made to ship from European countries large consignments of arms, and that a British shipping company had been asked to transport them? Can he say if His Majesty's Government can assure the 2492 House that they will take no military steps to enforce the repayment of any loans for such a purpose?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot connect that question in any way with the question on the Paper, which I have just answered.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe question on the Paper asks whether there are any treaties in force which impose on this country, in any eventuality, the obligation to undertake warlike obligations, and it is with reference to that statement that my supplementary question was put.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think the hon. Member's question contained a reference to a previous answer, and notice should, therefore, be given of it.