§ 46. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that the approval of Parliament will be invited for any new plan of reparations recommended by the Finance Ministers of the Governments concerned and their expert advisers?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)Parliament will be duly informed of the decision which may be taken by His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with the other Governments concerned, upon any proposals for the final settlement of reparations which may result from the proposed meeting of financial experts. Should it be desired to debate the question, a request can, when the time comes, be put forward through the usual channels.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that we shall simply be informed, and that no Treaty or instrument will have to be approved by this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. and gallant Member will remember that both in the Coalition Government and his own Government in 1924 the attitude was the same, and it has always been the same, and that is, that people who negotiate this kind of agreement for our country must have power at the time to come to a decision. Discretion is always granted. Governments in this country have always taken the line that they have power to complete agreements of this kind without Parliamentary sanction.