§ 48. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether a new treaty has been signed on behalf of His Majesty's Government with Iraq; what are its terms; and whether it is proposed that Parliament should be given an opportunity of discussing it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is proposed to lay the text of the new treaty before Parliament to-morrow. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's question on the 12th December.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply stated that the usual opportunities could be taken by the Opposition in Supply, and that that is very unsatisfactory in the case of a Treaty of this importance? Could it be treated as the Treaties of Peace were treated, and brought forward in a separate Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I could not promise to do that. As I told the hon. and gallant Member, it will be some months before the Treaty is ready for ratification, and before that time there will be plenty of opportunity for debate if hon. Members desire it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYBut does not the right hon. Gentleman see that he is taking away from this House its full rights over a very important Treaty?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, the hon. and gallant Member is mistaken. There never has been what he calls a right of discussion before a Treaty is ratified.