LORD RAGLANMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government in what respects the status of mandated territories in Africa differs from that of Colonies; and whether the League of Nations exercise, in fact or in theory, any control over such territories.
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLANDMy Lords, the status of mandated territories in Africa is laid down in Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations. Broadly speaking, two important distinctions should be drawn between British Colonies and territory a Mandate for which is entrusted to His Majesty. First, no such territory is part of His Majesty's Dominions. Secondly, the Government exercising the mandatory authority does so on behalf of the League of Nations. The only territory in Africa in respect of which a Mandate has yet been actually granted is South-West Africa, which is being administered by the Government of the Union of South Africa. The terms of the South-West Africa Mandate have been laid before Parliament. If the noble Lord will refer to this Mandate he will see the various obligations which are laid upon, and accepted by, the Mandatory Power. He will also notice that an annual report on the territory and the measures taken to carry out its obligations has to be rendered by the Mandatory Power to the Council of the League of Nations for examination by the Permanent Mandates Commission, 1047 which has been established by the League in accordance with Article 22 of the Covenant.
In the case of the other African mandated territories the Administration of which is entrusted to His Majesty, the position will be similar when the Mandates have actually been approved by the Council of the League, although the obligations undertaken by the Mandatory Power will be more extensive, as will be seen by reference to paragraph 5 of Article 22 of the Covenant. Any complaints or petitions would be forwarded to the League of Nations through the Mandatory Power.