§ 7. Mr. Flemingasked the Prime Minister whether a request was made by any of the signatory powers of the St. Germain-en-Laye, 1919, Convention, to hold a meeting in 1930 or thereafter, as envisaged in paragraph 1 of Article 15 of the said Convention?
§ Mr. ButlerIn July, 1930, His Majesty's Government circularised the other signatory Powers stating that in their view the Convention came up for revision on 31st July, 1930, but that the amendments which this country might want to introduce were not of such importance as to oblige His Majesty's Government to press for their adoption, and that they proposed in consequence that the Convention should remain in force unaltered until 1935, when His Majesty's Government reached the conclusion that a conference of the signatory Powers would have no result.
§ Mr. FlemingWill my right hon. Friend consider requesting the signatory Powers to meet once again, in view of the fact that by Article 15 modifications can be introduced in the Convention and the fact that the Lancashire export trade has requested such a modification of this treaty?
§ Mr. ButlerWe are advised that the consent of all the signatory Powers would be necessary for any modification, and, therefore, I see difficulties in the suggestion that has been made by my hon. and learned Friend. In view of the importance of the interests to which he has drawn my attention, I will certainly give this question every consideration.