HC Deb 29 May 1934 vol 290 cc24-5
42. Mr. D. GRENFELL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the steps taken to secure the admission of the United States and Russia into the League of Nations; whether any action has been proposed to secure the re-entry of Germany and Japan into the League; and whether any of these countries have submitted proposals for the reform of the League of Nations?

The PRIME MINISTER

The entry into the League of Nations of the United States and of the Soviet Union depends entirely on the decision and initiative of those two States and is subject only to the provisions of the Covenant. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that neither Germany nor Japan has as yet actually withdrawn from the League of Nations; as far as Germany is concerned, the hon. Member will recollect that His Majesty's Government stated in their Memorandum on Disarmament of the 29th January last that her return to Geneva ought to be made an essential condition of agreement on a disarmament convention. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. GRENFELL

Is it not the case that initiative is permitted to States outside the League to make application to join the League, and is there not a responsibility upon those inside the League to give an intimation that such application would not be turned down?

The PRIME MINISTER

If the hon. Member were aware of the differing circumstances which attend these movements on the part of nations, he would know that there is no possibility of applying one rule to them.

Mr. ATTLEE

Would the Government be prepared to welcome the United States and the Soviet Union into the League of Nations?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think that my right hon. Friend has assured the House of that time and time again.