§ 28. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the European nations which have not ratified or acceded to the Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use of poison gases?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)Eleven European States have not yet ratified or acceded to the Geneva Gas Protocol. I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. DALTONThere is a large number of conventions which have not been ratified as fully as we should like. My right hon. Friend, when he was at Geneva last year, publicly expressed the view that in such cases States who signed should also ratify.
§ Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINCould the hon. Gentleman give us the names? It would take less time to state them in a supplementary answer.
§ Mr. DALTONThe names are:
- Albania.
- Bulgaria.
- Czechoslovakia.
- Estonia.
- Greece.
- Hungary.
- Latvia.
- Lithuania.
- Luxemburg.
- Norway.
- Switzerland.
§ Sir W. BRASSHave His Majesty's Government urged the other Powers to ratify?
§ Mr. DALTONIn a general way, His Majesty's Government are always urging other Powers to ratify conventions that they have signed. I do not know that they have brought any special pressure to bear in this particular case.
§ Mr. FREEMANWhen they do ratify, will they abandon the use of poison gas?
§ Mr. DALTONI hope we shall abandon the use of war, which will be much more important and fundamental.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDIs the Moscow Government included among the signatories?
§ Mr. DALTONThe hon. and gallant Member will see that they are not included among the European States who have not yet ratified.