§ 18. Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the ending of sanctions will affect the assurances of military support given 12 to His Majesty's Government by France, Jugoslavia, Greece and Turkey, in the event of special measures of a military character being aimed by Italy at this country?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI can make no statement on this subject as the Assembly has not yet met, and the decisions regarding the future of sanctions have not yet been taken.
§ Mr. HENDERSONCan the Under-Secretary say why it is desirable to enter into these agreements for military assistance on the basis of mutual aid in the case of the Mediterranean Powers under Article 16 of the Covenant, and yet apparently it is not desirable to do so in the case of Abyssinia itself?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEThe declaration the Secretary of State made was perfectly clear. He said that he did not wish people to suffer for the support they had given to the Covenant in this case.
§ 29. Mr. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total strength of the armies, navies and air forces of all the countries, members of the League of Nations, who agreed to apply sanctions against Italy, including the United Kingdom; and the strength of the Italian Navy, Army and Air Force, and the total strength of the navies, armies and air forces of the countries, members of the League of Nations, who agreed not to apply sanctions against Italy, and, in each case, whether he can give the name of the country?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI will endeavour to compile such information on the subject as is available from published sources, and will communicate it to the hon. Member.
§ 70. Mr. EMMOTTasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what measures were taken to secure agreement upon identical policy between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in the Dominions, before His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom announced their decision to advocate the termination of sanctions against Italy; and whether he has received any statement of the views of His Majesty's Government in the Dominions upon this decision?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Marquess of Hartington)As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 18th June to a question by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander). As regards the second part of the question, the attitude of several of the Dominion Governments has already been made clear. The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary referred to the position in the Debate on 23rd June.
§ Mr. EMMOTTIs the House to understand that my noble Friend can give no more specific answer to the latter part of my question, which is whether he has received a statement of these views? I know that there has been a statement of views, but I am asking whether those views have been directly addressed to His Majesty's Government in this country?
Marquess of HARTINGTONI think if my hon. Friend will look at the pages of the OFFICIAL REPORT to which I have referred, he will find that matter dealt with there.
§ Mr. SANDYSIs there any mention of South Africa in the pages referred to by my noble Friend?
§ Mr. SANDYSMay we have the views of South Africa stated by my noble Friend?
Marquess of HARTINGTONIt is the business of the South African Government to express the views of South Africa.
§ 71. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, in view of the fact that it was not found possible to consult the Dominion Governments in regard to the Hoare-Laval proposals or to obtain general agreement as to the desirability or not of lifting sanctions, and in view of the importance of the maintenance of all His Majesty's Governments of a common attitude towards foreign affairs, whether he will approach the Dominion Governments with the object of devising some more effective machinery for inter-Imperial consultation?
Marquess of HARTINGTONThe principles governing the system of consultation with Dominion Governments in 14 relation to foreign affairs are summarised fully in the report of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference of 1930. Those principles are in full operation, and I have no reason to think that there is any desire on the part of any Dominion Government to alter them.
§ Mr. SANDYSDoes my noble Friend recognise that the pursuit of divergent and even conflicting policies by different Governments in the Empire is liable to undermine Imperial unity; and will he, therefore, consider approaching the Dominions again on this vital question?
§ Mr. COCKSIs the noble Lord aware that the Dominion Governments have a complete contempt for the present Administration?