§ 7. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the reply of His Majesty's Government to the last Note presented by Mr. Kellogg on behalf of the United States Government will be ready in time for this House to have an opportunity of considering it on the Foreign Office Vote before the end of the Session?
§ 4. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he expects to receive from His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions and India their replies to his communications regarding the United States Gov- 2211 ernment's revised proposals for the renunciation of war in sufficient time to allow a reply to be sent to the United States Government before the end of the present Session?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, I confidently expect to be able to send the reply of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain before the end of the Session. Communication with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions and India is proceeding, but I desire to make it quite clear that they have no responsibility for any delay that has occurred.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman a plain question? Does he intend to wreck this proposal by insisting upon his reservations?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI do not intend to wreck the proposal, Sir. I welcome the proposal, and I wish to bring it to a successful conclusion.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIf by insisting upon these reservations the right hon. Gentleman prevents the Treaty being signed, will he accept the responsibility for destroying this chance of world peace?
§ Mr. THURTLEIf the Dominions are not responsible for the delay, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the failure to agree with the French Government is responsible for the delay?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; the cause of the delay is the careful consideration which His Majesty's Government find it necessary to give to a proposal of such importance.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThen the right hon. Gentleman is responsible for the delay himself?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; I am responsible for the delay; but I use the word delay to signify the time taken for careful consideration of the matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public will hold him responsible also?