§ 45. Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will enter into no treaty agreement anticipating a post-war territorial settlement except conjointly with all our Allies and after first submitting any such proposal to Parliament?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Richard Law)I have been asked to reply. I do not think it would be possible to give so far-reaching an assurance in these precise terms, since a variety of contingencies have to be kept in mind. As regards consultation with Parliament, His Majesty's Government do not propose to depart from the existing practice, with which my hon. and gallant Friend is doubtless familiar.
§ Mr. MaxtonWould the hon. Gentleman refresh the memory of the House as to what the existing practice is?
§ Mr. LawI should have thought that the existing practice was well known to the House. It was last laid down in July, 1929, by the then Foreign Secretary, Mr. Arthur Henderson, and I think my hon. Friend would find it in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 17th July, 1929.
Major CazaletHas not the principle already been set out in the Atlantic Charter, and also in certain statements by the Prime Minister?
§ Mr. MaxtonWas it not laid down that all Treaties should be submitted for approval to this House before final ratification?
§ Mr. LawThe agreement at that time was that all Treaties subject to ratification should be submitted to this House before they were ratified.
§ Mr. MaxtonWas not that practice departed from in regard to the Abyssinian Treaty, the only one produced since the war started?
§ Mr. LawI think the hon. Gentleman will find that the Abyssinian Treaty was not subject to ratification.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not the case that the Atlantic Charter is not a Treaty, but only a declaration of intention by two eminent persons?