§ 18. Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the latest information as to the progress of the negotiations in the matter of the security pact?
§ 20. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations for a mutual guarantee pact with France, Belgium, and Germany; and if he is in a position to make any statement as to the intentions and views of the Dominions and India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Austen Chamberlain)I will, with the hon. Members' permission, answer these questions together. Since notice was given of these questions, the treaties themselves have been circulated as a Command Paper. It will, I hope, be accepted as convenient that I should reserve my explanations for Wednesday's Debate.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNCould the right hon. Gentleman say in the meantime whether the Dominions have decided to become parties to the Pact?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HURD by Private Noticeasked the Secretary of Stale for Foreign 12 Affairs whether any communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the Dominions and of foreign countries regarding the extent and possible effect of the exemption of the Dominions and India from obligations under the Locarno Pact, and whether copies of any such communications will be in the hands of Members of this House before the discussion of Wednesday next.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave this afternoon to Questions 18 and 20, and ask him to be good enough to await Wednesday's Debate.
§ Mr. HURDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if those communications have passed, we shall not be discussing the matter in ignorance of a vital point?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think any communications have passed which are of importance to the discussion by the House which are not already in the hands of the House.