§ 18 and 19. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1), whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government is having recourse to arbitration as a means of settling the French claim to the Dead Sea salts concession, assent to such a course was notified to the French Ambassador before or after the Dead Seal salts concession was finally assigned to Mr. Moses Novomeysky;
(2), whether, seeing that the question of the French claim on the Dead Sea salts was sub judice at the time of the conclusion of the agreement with Mr. Moses Novomeysky pending arbitration, and is a dangerous precedent in international affairs, he has received any further representations on the subject from the French Ambassador?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. It has not been decided whether His Majesty's Government shall agree to arbitration in this matter. The question is, therefore, not sub judice, and no assent to recourse to arbitrat on has been notified to the French Ambassador. I have not received any further representations from His Excellency on the subject.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYWas not the right hon. Gentleman still having negotiations with the French Ambassador after this was signed, and will he not now, under the Optional Clause, be compelled to take this matter to the Hague Tribunal?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYHow is this particular case ruled out, seeing that the Optional Clause covers all cases such as this?
Mr. HENDERSONQuestions with regard to arbitration on this matter should be addressed to the Colonial Office.