§ 15 and 16. Mr. DALTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) on how many occasions since 1924 the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has failed to attend the Assembly of the League of Nations;
497 (2) on how many occasions since the foundation of the League of Nations no member of the Government of the day has attended the Assembly?
§ Captain EDENThe reply to each is "on no occasion."
§ Mr. DALTONIs the Government not reconsidering the decisions already announced, and are they not taking account of the very adverse effects, both on this country and abroad, of the comparative indifference of this Government to the League of Nations?
§ Captain EDENI have already told the House that, should it be impossible for my Noble Friend to he present during the course of the Assembly, no one would regret it more than he, but I am confident that there is no danger of any misunderstanding of the situation at Geneva, and I hope there will be no misrepresentation of it here.
§ Mr. DALTONCould not continuity of policy he pursued at any rate to this extent that, if the Foreign Secretary cannot go, some other member of the Government should go who can speak authoritatively, instead of leaving the delegation wholly composed of unofficial persons?
§ Captain EDENI have told the hon. Gentleman that the conditions are quite exceptional and they are fully appreciated as such at Geneva.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that, if it is found possible and the House thinks it desirable for the Foreign Secretary to go, there will be less blowing of trumpets afterwards than there has been recently?