§ 45. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the ratification by France, Italy, Russia, Germany, and some 30 other nations of the Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use 'of poison gas in war, it is proposed that the British Government shall ratify; and, if not, will he state the present reasons?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I have been asked to reply. The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The Gas Protocol has only been ratified by six States, amongst which Germany is not included. As my right hon. Friend stated in this House on the 18th July, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to ratify the Protocol unless all the other signatories are ready to do so.
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNIs it not a fact that under the Hague Convention the use of poison gas is illegal, and that, although that was broken during the War, the Versailles Treaty confirmed the Hague Convention; and is it not also 1392 a fact that our Army Orders to-day prevent the use of poison gas unless it is used by the enemy?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI ought to point out that this has nothing whatever to do with the Versailles Treaty, but merely has reference to the ratification of the Protocol.
Mr. BECKETTIs it not also a fact that this country is spending a considerable amount of money in experiments to find more dangerous gases?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.