§ Sir S. HOAREasked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any further information as to the interpretation put upon the Arbitration Clause of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance by Japan and the United States of America; and whether either Japan or the United States, or both, have stated officially that the Peace Commission of 1914 is to be regarded as an Arbitration Treaty with the United States?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the very full reply returned to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on 1st March last, to which there is nothing that can usefully be added.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Departmental Committee of the Foreign Office has been taking evidence on the desirability of renewing, and, if so, under what form, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance; and whether, on the occasion of the forthcoming Debate, he proposes to place the information thus collected, at all events in substance, at the disposal of the House?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEDepart-mental inquiries are held from time to time in the Foreign Office upon almost every matter of urgent public importance. But it would be entirely contrary to precedent and highly inexpedient to make public use of such investigations, which are intended only for the Department or the Minister concerned.