§ 46. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many meetings of the Advisory Committee of 21 of the League of Nations, in connection with Manchuria, and its sub-committees, respectively, have been held, and how many in public and how many in private?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)The meetings referred to were held in private, and the information as to their number is not available.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that some of the meet- 1658 ings should be held in public, so that we can see exactly the position taken up by the different Governments; and will he consider giving instructions to the British representatives to raise this point?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think that the members of the Advisory Committee consult one another about this matter, and opinion at Geneva is very well known. I do not think that any harm has been done by their meeting in private.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not desirable that we should know who is holding matters up?
§ 47. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether consideration has been or will be given by the Advisory Committee of 21 of the League of Nations in connection with Manchuria to the unanimous recommendations of the Assembly of 4th October, 1921, as to the steps that might be taken against a covenant-breaking State, in-eluding the simultaneous withdrawal of Ambassadors and Ministers?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs I have stated in reply to the previous question of my hon. Friend, the meetings of the Advisory Committee were private, and. I cannot state what matters were taken into consideration at such meetings.