§ 11. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the mandatory questionnaire discussed at the last Assembly is to be submitted to the various mandatory Governments for their consideration and comment; and whether he can say to which questions in the questionnaire the British Government takes exception?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe questionnaire was forwarded to the mandatory Governments for their observations some time ago. The views of His Majesty's Government are stated in the reply to the League which is being laid as a Command Paper.
§ Mr. SMITHMay I ask whether non mandatory Powers as well have had a copy of the questionnaire sent to them?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I think certainly not. Speaking from memory, I am pretty confident that I am right in saying that what the Council did was to invite the various mandatory Governments to offer their observations before the Council took the matter into their consideration.
§ Mr. SMITHIn view of the very serious criticism which has been made upon this matter abroad, that is, with regard to the reply of the Foreign Secretary and the further publications on this subject, will the Foreign Secretary tell the House what harm there can be in making public the fullest possible knowledge of our doings in the Colonies?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI would suggest to the hon. Member that he should wait until he has read the reply of His Majesty's Government, which was concerted with the other mandatory Governments of His Majesty, and approved by the Imperial Conference which has just come to an end.