§ 50. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Prime Minister seeing that he cannot publish the correspondence without their consent, whether he is consulting the Dominions Governments with regard to the publication of their replies to His Majesty's Government on the subject of the resumption of relations with Russia?
§ Mr. DALTONI have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the Prime Minister on 11th July and 15th July, in reply to questions put by the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Birmingham West (Sir A. Chamberlain). It would be premature at this stage to consult His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions as regards laying papers.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKis the hon. Gentleman aware that when these replies were given I put a specific question to the Prime Minister, asking whether the Dominions had consented to the negotiations being opened, or whether His Majesty's Government are now acting on their own or on behalf of the whole Empire?
§ Mr. SMITHERSCan the hon. Member give an assurance that these replies or the decisions of the Dominion Governments will be made known to this House before decisive action is taken with regard to the resumption of diplomatic relations?
§ Mr. DALTONThe lion. Member had better read the statement of the Prime Minister, to which I have referred him in my answer.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI have not only read that statement, but I was here when it was made, and no answer was given to the question.
§ Mr. DALTONIn the latter part of my answer the hon. and gallant Member will find that in our view, it is premature at the moment to approach the Dominion Governments on this subject. I have nothing to add to that answer.