§ Mr. CRAWFURDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the proposal that the League of Nations Council should meet only three times a year in regular session instead of four; and whether he will use his efforts to withstand any such restriction of the League's activities?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; I am not only aware of it, but it was in fact at my instance that the Council at its last session requested the Secretary-General to examine and report upon the subject, and my proposal was unanimously accepted by the Council. There was not in my mind, nor in the mind of any of my colleagues, any thought of restricting the activities of the League. Our motive was the desire to make is possible for those countries which have habitually 33W been represented by their Foreign Ministers to continue this practice to which all members of the Council—and I think all friends of the League—attach importance. The Secretary-General's report will come up for consideration next month; if it, shows that no reduction could be made without prejudice to the work of the League, I am confident that the suggestion will not be followed up, but I doubt if this will be the case.