HC Deb 18 March 1925 vol 181 cc2243-4
9. Mr. PONSONBY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have ever informed the Soviet Government of the points to which they take objection in the treaties concluded by the late Government?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer is in the negative. No purpose would be served by discussing in detail treaties that have been rejected as a whole.

Mr. PONSONBY

Were not the proposals of the Soviet Government more or less contained in those treaties, and is it not, therefore, for His Majesty's Government to explain what their objections are?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

That is the question which I have already answered.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, until some further step is taken by His Majesty's Government, the treaty having been rejected, there is no step that the other side can very well take, so that there must be some move from us?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

In my opinion, the time has not come when His Majesty's Government can advantageously take any new step. In order that they should be in a position to take, with the possibility of usefulness and fruitfulness, any new step, it would be necessary that our general relations should be more completely amicable and cordial in all parts of the world than they are at present.