§ 32. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is yet in a position to state when His Majesty's Government intends to sign the American Peace Pact?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. Everything possible is, however, being done to hasten the despatch of a reply to the latest note from the Government of the United States of America.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government's procrastination in this matter has caused considerable disappointment throughout the country, and does he not see the need, for the good repute of this country, of signing this Pact at the earliest possible moment.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThat would appear to be rather an expression of opinion than of fact, but in my view it is more important that His Majesty's Government should be careful when undertaking new engagements not to break their old ones than to proceed without reference to the serious nature of the questions involved.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs there any truth in the telegram from Paris this morning that Great Britain and France are to sign the Treaty and couple it with a protocol embodying reservations? Further, is it not a fact that our Dominions are prepared to sign without any protocol or reservation?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am not prepared to answer without notice as to the attitude of the Dominions, as to which I am not yet fully informed—our consultations with them are by no means complete—and I think it would be convenient that I should postpone any account of the British reply, or the likely character of the British reply, until I am in a position to lay Papers.
§ Mr. THURTLECan the right hon. Gentleman give us an approximate date when His Majesty's Government are likely to sign the Treaty?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot say. All I can undertake is that there shall be no unnecessary loss of time.
§ Mr. THURTLEI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether during these negotiations he is taking any steps to stop America herself from carrying on her war with Nicaragua?