HC Deb 23 February 1927 vol 202 cc1755-6
46. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Prime Minister when this House will have an opportunity to discuss President Coolidge's proposals for a naval shipbuilding conference; and whether this discussion will take place before or after the British Government's reply?

47. Mr. STAMFORD

asked the Prime Minister whether he will submit to this House copies of the correspondence between His Majesty's Government and the Dominion Governments relative to the naval proposals of Mr. Coolidge; and whether an opportunity will be given to the House to discuss the proposals before His Majesty's Government communicates its reply to the Coolidge invitation?

The PRIME MINISTER

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave on Monday last, in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Hackney, South (Captain Garro-Jones). Until the correspondence referred to by the hon. Member for West Leeds (Mr. Stamford) is complete, consideration of the question of its publication must be postponed.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask why, in the case of the much more serious matter of Locarno, we entered into a very far-reaching agreement without consulting the Dominions, but in this very simple matter we have, apparently, taken shelter behind the Dominions?

The PRIME MINISTER

That question arises as a supplementary question, but it does occur to me that the very fact that we entered into Locarno in that way may be a reason why in future we should consult the Dominions.

Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALL

Is not the question of naval armaments one in which the Dominions are vitally interested?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is true.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

When we entered into the Washington Convention of 1921 with regard to battleships and other large vessels, were the Dominions consulted before we ratified?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a question of which notice should be given.