§ 47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister how many signatories of the Washington Naval Treaty ratified the rules for submarines attacking merchant ships on the high seas contained in that Treaty; whether any nations not parties to that Treaty signified their adherence to those rules; and whether the new rules in Article 22 of the new Naval Treaty of London are intended to replace and supersede the Washington rules and also the hitherto accepted rules of visit, search, and capture of merchant shipping at sea?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Washington Treaty of 6th February, 1922, Articles 1–4 of which dealt with the protection of the lives of neutrals and non-combatants at sea in time of war, was ratified by the British Empire, the United States of America, Italy and Japan, but not by France, and therefore has never come into force. Consequently no non-signatory Powers 394 acceded to that Treaty. Article XXII of the London Naval Treaty cannot be described as replacing or superseding the above-mentioned articles of the Washington Treaty of 6th February, 1922, since the latter never became effective. Its provisions are expressly described as representing established rules of international law.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs my right hon. Friend aware that a much earlier Washington Treaty, that of 1919, on Labour matters, has not yet been ratified, although we are still living in hope? With regard to the latter part of his answer, on these new rules, is it maintained that these are not contrary to the very old-established rules as to war at sea?
§ The PRIME MINISTERRegarding the first part of the supplementary question, there is no hope of the Article regarding submarines contained in the Washington Naval Treaty. Regarding the second part, as it is a matter for legal experts, I can only accept the conclusions to which they have come.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs my right hon. Friend aware that the legal experts advised him contrary to all the other legal experts in the past?
§ Commander SOUTHBYDo we understand that Article 22 a the London Naval Treaty is intended only to emphasise the time-honoured, existing rules regarding visit and search at sea?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is my information.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTAre we to understand that these rules make provision for the settlement of disputes as they arise?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI had better have notice of that question.