§ Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the advisability of urging the Council or the Assembly of the League of Nations to submit to the Permanent Court of International Justice for an advisory opinion the question as to whether it is necessary for treaties registered with the League of Nations under Article 18 of the Covenant to be published complete in order to be valid, with particular reference to the Franco-Belgian exchange of notes of the 10th September, 1920, the Czech-Rumanian alliance of the 23rd April, 1921, and the Franco-Polish political agreement of the 19th February, 1921?
Mr. A. HENDERSONNo, Sir; but it is evident from the very terms of Article 18 that any secret engagement attached to a bilateral instrument registered with the League could not be held to be binding in the event of its validity being disputed by either of the contracting parties.