114. Mr. Enrollasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of Japan's desire to export cotton goods to Africa, what revision to the Congo Basin Treaties is he advocating.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe policy of His Majesty's Government in relation to these Treaties is set out in the replies which my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Darwen (Mr. Prescott) on 30th November and 25th October, 1949. His Majesty's Government are not at present advocating their revision. In the view of His Majesty's Government, the rights which the Japanese Government derive from the 1919 Convention of St. Germain-en-Laye, of which she was a signatory, were automatically suspended on the outbreak of war with that country in 1942 and remain in abeyance for as long as the state of war persists. The question of Japan's position under the Congo Basin Treaties will have to be considered in connection with the Japanese Peace Treaties.