HC Deb 19 December 1928 vol 223 c2981
1. Mr. DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the six States that have ratified the gas protocol; and whether His Majesty's Government are taking any steps to inquire if the other signatories are prepared to ratify?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)

The gas protocol has been ratified by Austria, France, subject to reservations, Italy, Liberia, Russia, subject to reservations, and Venezuela. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. DAY

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that we should endeavour to obtain the ratification of the gas protocol?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir. I think that negotiations on that subject should come rather from the Secretary-General of the League and be approved by the Council, and not from this Government.