HC Deb 14 March 1929 vol 226 cc1274-6
74. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the terms of reference to the Committee of the League of Nations of which he is a member to consider the improvement of the protection given by the League to the minorities; and whether Senator Dandurand's proposals will come before that committee?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The information which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman desires will be found in the resolution on the subject of the protection of minorities which was passed by the Council. As this resolution is somewhat long I will, with the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, reading now only the first paragraph which gives the answer to his specific question: (1) The Council instructs its Rapporteur to submit at the June session a report on the proposals of the Representatives of Canada and Germany, taking into account the different points raised by various Members of the Council during the discussion to which these proposals gave rise.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May we know whether, when this discussion takes place, the Government will afford such support as is possible to the Canadian proposal?

Mr. RILEY

Have the Government made up their minds as to their attitude towards this problem?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

In answer to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's supplementary question, and also in answer to the last supplementary question, I may point out that I explained to the House the other day that we were giving very careful consideration to this proposal at the present moment.

Following is remainder of Resolution:

"(2) The Council asks the Representatives of Great Britain and Spain to co-operate with the Rapporteur in drawing up this report.

(3) The Rapporteur and his colleagues may receive any observations that the Governments of States which have accepted the provisions for the protection of minorities may desire to present. Any State Member of the League of Nations may also, if it so desires, submit observations. These various observations should reach the Secretary-General before 15th April, 1929.

The Committee of Three thus constituted may receive such information and consult such persons as it considers advisable for the execution of its work.

(4) The report will be examined in the first place by the Council in Committee, which will meet for that purpose in sufficient time before the date of the next session of the Council.

(5) The Secretary-General will forward to the Governments of the States which have accepted the provisions for the protection of minorities and to the Governments of all the States Members of the League, the present Resolution together with the Minutes of the Council meetings held on 6th March, 1929."