HC Deb 13 December 1926 vol 200 cc2538-9
11. Captain GARRO-JONES

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any of the Dominions are now associated with Great Britain in her responsibilities under the Locarno Treaty?

Mr. AMERY

If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind the assumption of obligations under Article 9 of the Treaty of Mutual Guarantee, the answer is in the negative; but I would refer him to the passage dealing with the policy of Locarno, which appears on pages 28 and 29 of the published Summary of Proceedings of the Imperial Conference (Cmd. 2768). The passage in question, and the Resolution submitted by the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee, were unanimously approved by the Conference.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Resolution submitted by the Imperial Relations Committee has no solid foundation whatever, and has he made any representations to the right hon. Gentleman the Foreign Secretary that no further obligations should be entered into which will leave Great Britain isolated in this way?

Mr. AMERY

I am not quite sure that I altogether understand the purport of the supplementary question. I do not think that the Resolution passed by the Conference expressing their satisfaction at the policy of His Majesty's Government is not a solid contribution.

Sir ROBERT THOMAS

May I ask whether the Dominions have agreed to what is known as the Optional Clause?

Mr. AMERY

No, Sir. There is no ratification of the Optional Clause, as my original answer makes quite clear.

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