HC Deb 24 November 1926 vol 200 cc381-3
12. Mr. R. SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the general understanding reached at the Imperial Conference that no Government represented would take any action in the direction of the acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the Permanent Court is intended to remain operative until the meeting of the next Imperial Conference?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

If the hon. Member will refer to the published summary of proceedings of the Imperial Conference, he will see that the Governments represented agreed not to take any action in the direction of the acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the Permanent Court without bringing up the matter for further discussion. An Imperial Conference offers the most convenient opportunity for discussing such matters, but no doubt another method could be found, if necessary.

13. Mr. SMITH

also asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the question of acceptance of Article 36 of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice, if he can state the grounds on which Mis Majesty's Government agreed to the conclusion reached by the Empire Conference that it was at present premature to accept the obligations under this Article?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I regret that it would require a long statement, which it is scarcely practicable to make in the form of an answer to a question.

Mr. SMITH

May I ask whether the Foreign Secretary intends to make any statement to the House on the subject of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I had not intended to Volunteer one.

Mr. SMITH

Would it not be possible to have much more publicity during the proceedings of the Imperial Conference than has been given to them this year?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I think there has been a great deal of publicity this time. If the hon. Gentleman will study the documents he will find there has been a great deal published.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is it not a fact that there has never been so much publicity given to any Imperial Conference as to this one?