§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the purpose of the British reservations to the optional clause is to preclude other nations from forcing the British Government to attend the Permanent Court of International Justice when questions of the highest importance to this country concerning the laws of warfare at sea are in dispute?
§ Mr. DALTONI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers given on 31st October to the right hon. Gentle man the Member for South Croydon (Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson) and yesterday to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power).
§ Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the reservation made by the British Government in their signature of the optional clause with reference to the disputes with regard to questions which by inter national law fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, it is to be understood that the question as to whether a particular matter falls within or without this jurisdiction will be decided by the Permanent Court itself?
§ Mr. DALTONI should prefer to deal with this and similar points during the Debate which will arise when the Government invites the House to approve the signature of the optional clause.