HC Deb 08 March 1937 vol 321 cc781-2
19. Sir H. Croft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from whom the proposals of the Secretariat of the League of Nations, prepared for the Committee on Raw Materials, emanated; and whether such proposals are received by the Secretariat from Governments only, or whether non-official political bodies or associations have been permitted to forward proposals?

Viscount Cranborne

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in implying that the Secretariat of the League of Nations has itself put forward any proposals in the memorandum which it has prepared for the Committee on Raw Materials. It has merely included in the memorandum, for the guidance of the Committee, a list of the various suggestions which have been put forward in recent years for the solution of the raw materials question. These suggestions have all been made publicly at different times and no question therefore arises of the Secretariat having received the proposals either from Governments or from non-official political bodies or assocations.

Sir H. Croft

Since it is inconceivable that any foreign friendly Power would table these proposals affecting the Sovereignty of this country in its Colonies, can the Noble Lord inform the House whence came these proposals which have been described—on the presumption that the description is accurate?

Viscount Cranborne

I have not seen the document to which I referred, but it has been submitted by the Secretariat. I can say only that the proposals contained therein have been put forward in public at various times in recent years.

Sir H. Croft

Can anybody in public put forward these proposals to go to the Secretariat? Surely they could not go forward unless they had the sanction of the Cabinet of this country and not go behind the back of Parliament?

Viscount Cranborne

My hon. and gallant Friend is assuming that these proposals have been put forward by this country. When he says that no other country could put them forward I would remind him that many countries have made suggestions at Geneva with regard to raw materials.

Sir H. Croft

Cannot the Noble Lord—

Mr. Speaker

We cannot debate this question now.

Sir H. Croft

On a point of Order. In view of the fact that the Noble Lord has misinterpreted the question I put to him that it could not have been a foreign country which made the proposals, since they affected the transfer of British Colonies and Mandates—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Moreing.