§ 60. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can furnish the House with the text of the agreement concerning British Somaliland concluded between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government on 27th January, 1937?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe question of publication is under consideration. When the views of the Italian Government have been obtained I shall be in a position to make a definite statement.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHas the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the fact that under the Covenant of the League of Nations no international engagement is binding until it has been published and registered?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI think the hon. Member must be under some misapprehension. This is a temporary arrangement regarding practical arrangements for the customary transit trade across the frontier, and I do not think any international obligations arise.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf there are relations between the two Governments concerning the trade between the two territories, surely that is an international engagement?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreYes, if it were in the nature of a commercial treaty; but you cannot have two countries with a common land frontier without at any rate some practical arrangement as to what is to happen on that frontier.