§ Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the provisions of Article 22 of the League Covenant that the whole of the mandated territories were to be kept open to freedom of opportunity in trade and commerce for all nations members of the League, it has been decided as a matter of Imperial policy that no British action is to be taken to close the doors of these territories against those Powers 2494W who have withdrawn from membership of the League; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to continue this policy?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, the primary consideration is the interest of the mandated territories, but the question of equality of treatment can be reopened at any time, either generally or in respect of a particular country or countries.