§ 6. Mr. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what addi- 2750 tional territory was added to the British Empire under the Treaty of Versailles at the termination of the Great War; from what countries the territory was taken; and whether he can give the square miles in each case?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI think the hon. Gentleman is under some misapprehension. While Germany renounced under the Treaty of Versailles in favour of the principal Allied and Associated Powers all her rights and titles over her overseas possessions, the only territories transferred from the German Empire in which the British Empire are concerned are administered under mandate by the United Kingdom and certain of the Dominions. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabular statement giving the individual territories in question, together with the mileage in each case.
§ Following is the statement:
| Territory. | Square Mileage. | Mandatory Power. |
| Togoland (that part of it under British mandate). | 13,041 | Great Britain. |
| Cameroon (that part of it under British mandate). | 34,081 | Great Britain. |
| Tanganyika | 366,632 | Great Britain. |
| New Guinea, etc. | 93,000 | Australia |
| West Samoa | 1,133 | New Zealand. |
| Nauru | 8 | British Empire. |
| German South West Africa. | 322,393 | Union of South Africa. |
§ The figures regarding square mileage are as given in the "Board of Trade Statistical Abstract for the British Empire" (Cmd. 4819, 1935).
§ 46. Mr. SANDYSasked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that in no circumstances will His Majestys' Government consent to the transfer of British colonies, protectorates, or mandated territories into any other hands?
§ 47. Mr. LENNOX-BOYDasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government in future to adhere strictly to its present policy in regard to the cession of the mandated territory held by Great Britain?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday last, to which there is nothing to add.
§ Mr. SANDYSIn regard to mandated territories, is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer carefully avoided making any definite statement as to the future, and does my right hon. Friend consider that this policy of the open mind is really compatible with our great Imperial responsibilities and traditions?
§ Mr. LENNOX-BOYDWill the right hon. Gentleman give a definite assurance that no application by Germany for the return of Tanganyika will be considered, at any rate, during the lifetime of the present Parliament?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was a considered one, and I could not undertake to elaborate it at Question Time.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISAre not mandated territories in a special character, and do we not hold them as trustees for the League of Nations? Is it not right to differentiate between them and colonies and possessions?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy hon. Friend's statement is not complete. The best plan would be to refer carefully to the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAre we to take it, then, that the Home Secretary, speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, is unable to give the direct assurance that is asked for?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, there is no reason for my right hon. Friend to say that. What I have said is that the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was a considered one, and I am not going to undertake to embroider or amplify it in answer to a question.
§ Mr. SANDYSOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the question at an early opportunity.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes this indicate confidence in His Majesty's Government?