§ 38. Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the cause of the delay in the ratification of the peace treaty with Rumania; and when this will now take place.
§ Mr. MayhewHis Majesty's Government and the United States Government are now ready to deposit their ratifications and my right hon. Friend is at present in communication with the Soviet and United States Governments in order to fix an early date on which all three ratifications may be deposited, thus bringing the Treaty into force. It is, however, the view of His Majesty's Government that the Rumanian Government should ratify before the three powers whose ratification will bring the treaty into force. My right hon. Friend has accordingly represented to the Rumanian Government the importance of early ratification on their part.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksCan the hon. Gentleman say why the Rumanian Government has not yet ratified the Treaty?
§ Mr. MayhewI think there are several reasons for the delay in ratification. We have been ready to ratify it for some time past, but other countries have to go through legislative processes before they can ratify it.
§ Professor SavoryAre His Majesty's Government not going to be assured that the conditions laid down in Article 3 of the Treaty will be carried out before ratification is granted?
§ Mr. MayhewWe shall certainly ratify this Treaty. What action we shall take with regard to Article 3 is a different question.