§ 26. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained any explanation from the German Government with regard to the large quantities of phosgene poison gas found to be stored in Hamburg contrary to the express terms of the peace treaty, as disclosed by the recent explosion of a tank containing the gas, with consequent serious loss of life: and what action is being taken in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker - Lampson)The obligations assumed by the German Government under the Treaty of Versailles in respect to the manufacture and storage of chemicals utilisable as poison gas have been defined by agreement in subsequent correspondence between the ex-Allied Powers and that Government. They are set forth in Articles 1, 2, 3 and 8 of the. War Material Law, which entered 618 into force on the 6th August, 1927 (an English translation of which will be found in the number of the Board of Trade Journal published on the 17th of May), read in conjunction with an exchange of Notes which took place in February, 1927, between the German Chargé d'Affaire3 at Paris and the President of the Conference of Ambassadors. In substance, the situation resulting from these documents as regards phosgene is as follows:—The manufacture, storage, sale, import and export of phosgene, intended for war purposes, is forbidden. The manufacture of phosgene intended for industrial purposes is allowed, but is confined to three factories, and the machinery for producing the gas in each of these factories is limited so as to fix the total maximum output at nine tons a day. No restriction is placed upon the export or storage of phosgene so produced for industrial purposes. The facts hitherto brought to light afford no proof that the German Government has failed to ensure the observance of the conditions described above, and His Majesty's Government do not consider, therefore, that any action on their part is required. It is understood, however, that an official inquiry into the incident to which this question relates is being conducted by the Germ an authorities.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAm I to understand from that reply that the German Government are really entitled to make as much poison gas as they like as long as they allege that it is for manufacturing purposes?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAs I have pointed out in my answer, it is restricted to a certain amount of tonnage.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not a fact that nine tons a day is enough to poison the whole world after a, few months making?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the hon. Member for South Kensington entitled to cast a reflection upon any other Government with whom His Majesty's Government is in friendly relations?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIn the case of a Treaty for which we are responsible, I think the hon. Mem'3er is entitled to ask whether or not there has been an infringement of the Treaty.
§ Mr. SHINWELLBut the hon. Member has gone beyond that.
§ Mr. SPEAKERAn answer has been given.
Commander OLIVER LOCKER LAMPSONHow can you distinguish between industrial phosgene and war phosgene?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIf there is any suspicion of an infringement of the Treaty, the League of Nations immediately steps in and holds an inquiry.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAre the Government not in a position to answer the question which was asked a few days ago as to what is the quantity of phosgene gas that was released?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. KELLYMay I ask if the nine tons per day of phosgene gas which the German Government are allowed to manufacture applies to 365 days in the year?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONYes, I suppose it does.