HC Deb 19 June 1930 vol 240 cc574-5
50. Mr. MALONE

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has appointed the British delegation to the forthcoming Assembly of the League of Nations; and, if so, who are the delegates?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Sir. The delegation to the forthcoming Assembly of the League of Nations will be composed as follows:

  • Delegates.
  • The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
  • The President of the Board of Trade (for part of the time).
  • Viscount Cecil of Chelwood.
  • The hon. Lady the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health.
  • Assistant Delegates.
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
  • The hon. Member for Elland (Mr. C. Buxton).
    • 575
  • Assistant Delegates.
  • The hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Hamilton).
  • The hon. Member for Coventry (Mr. Noel Baker).

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Is not anyone going with this delegation to represent the Treasury on financial matters?

The PRIME MINISTER

Financial matters, as a rule, are not represented at the September meetings of the Assembly. So far as the Treasury side and the industrial side are concerned, they will be represented by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman refresh his memory? I think it has been the practice, certainly in recent years, to include one member in the British delegation with special reference to questions in which the Treasury may be interested. The finance of the League is becoming more and more important.

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, but we have come to the conclusion that it is waste to send a special delegate for that purpose. The budgetary side of the League can quite well be attended to by anyone who has had very close association with the League and the necessity for expanding it.

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I should like to be assured that some member of the delegation will be considered as at any rate having instructions to represent the British Treasury, which also has an interest in the finances of the League, and should at least be enabled to make its views heard within the delegation.

The PRIME MINISTER

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that that point has not been overlooked, and that those instructions will be given.

Mr. LEIF JONES

Is it not the case that the President of the Board of Trade has been Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of this House?