HC Deb 25 February 1929 vol 225 cc1553-4
24. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, seeing that at the Imperial Conference of 1926 it was agreed that where one part of the British Empire entered into negotiations with another country, when the negotiations were likely to affect other parts of the Empire all parts of the Empire should be duly advised, he will state why Canada was only informed of the Anglo-French naval compromise after some of the Governments of Foreign countries had received formal notification through our embassies?

Mr. AMERY

As has already been explained in reply to previous questions, in accordance with the procedure agreed at the Imperial Conference, 1926, for adoption in cases of this kind, the Dominion Governments were informed in advance of the intention of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to enter into conversations with the French Government, with the object of adjusting the divergencies of view which were blocking progress in the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament. The telegrams announcing the result of these conversations were sent to His Majesty's representatives abroad and to Dominion Governments on 30th July and 1st August respectively.

Commander BELLAIRS

Has my right hon. Friend seen the speech of the Prime Minister of Canada, in which he stated that foreign Governments were informed of the results of the negotiations before the Dominion of Canada?

Mr. AMERY

If my hon. and gallant Friend will study my answer more closely, he will see that the information was conveyed in the one case on the 30th July and in the other on the 1st August. I am sorry that there was an interval of a day or two between them.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Were the telegrams to the Dominion Governments sent for the purpose of asking for their observations, or simply to inform them that agreement had been reached?

Mr. AMERY

I should require notice of that question, but I think it was to inform them that only a provisional agreement had been reached, subject to the agreement of all the other Governments concerned.

Commander BELLAIRS

Were the Dominion Governments informed by telegraph?

Mr. AMERY

Yes, Sir.