Countries for dealing with International Questions. No. 1. Question asked in House of Commons, May 12, 1924, and Answer. Mr. Ayles asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can see his way to bring the information contained in the White Paper "Miscellaneous No. 5, 1912" (Cd. 6102), on the treatment of international questions by Parliaments in European countries, up to date as regards those countries in which there has been an alteration in the constitution of the country? Mr. Ponsonby: My right hon. friend the Prime Minister will request His Majesty's diplomatic representatives abroad to supply the information desired, and will consider publishing their replies as a White Paper. No. 2. Circular Despatch to His Majesty's Representatives at Athens, Belgrade, Berlin, Berne, Brussels, Bucharest, Christiania, Constantinople, Copenhagen, The Hague, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Sofia, Stockholm, Tokyo, Vienna and Washington. My Lord, Sir, Foreign Office, May 22, 1924. I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of a question asked in the House of Commons on the 12th May, and of the reply returned to it; and I request you to furnish me with a report, in a shape suitable for presentation to Parliament, showing what changes there have been, if any, in the methods adopted by the Parliament of the country in which you reside for dealing with international questions since your predecessor's report printed in the White Paper, "Miscellaneous No. 5, 1912" (Cd. 6102). I am, &c. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD. * No. 1. 2455 Wt. 1500 12/24 F.O.P. [12155] B 2 No. 3. Circular Despatch to His Majesty's Representatives at Budapest, Durazzo, Helsingfors, Prague, Riga and Warsaw. Sir, Foreign Office, May 22, 1924. I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of a question asked in the House of Commons on the 12th May, and of the reply returned to it.* 2. I also enclose a copy of the White Paper, "Miscellaneous No. 5, 1912" (Cd. 6102), and I request you to furnish me with a report, in a shape suitable for presentation to Parliament, showing the methods adopted (through official committees or otherwise) by the Parliament of the country or countries in which you reside for dealing with international questions. I am, &c. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD. Sir, No. 4. Mr. MacDonald to Mr. Hodgson (Moscow). Foreign Office, May 22, 1924. I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of a question asked in the House of Commons on the 12th May, and of the reply returned to it.* 2. I also enclose a copy of the White Paper, "Miscellaneous No. 5, 1912" (Cd. 6102), and although I realise that parliamentary government, in our sense of the word, does not exist in Russia, I request you to furnish me with a report, in a shape suitable for presentation to Parliament, showing the methods adopted by the Soviet Government for dealing with international questions. I am, &c. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD. * No. 1. Sir, REPLIES TO PRECEDING DESPATCHES. ALBANIA. Mr. Parr to Mr. MacDonald.-(Received August 22.) Durazzo, August 12, 1924. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch of the 22nd May, instructing me to furnish a report as to the procedure followed by the Albanian Parliament in the discussion. of foreign affairs. 2. I have the honour to state that the Minister for Foreign Affairs deals with all such questions, but he submits nearly all, even those of little importance, to the Cabinet, and in the case of those which are actually of considerable importance the High Council of Regency sits with the Cabinet for their discussion. 3. The Minister for Foreign Affairs submits to the discussion of the Chamber all questions of a political nature which may in any way affect the future of the country. As occasion may dictate these are debated in secret session. A parliamentary commission for the study of foreign affairs exists and presents to the Chamber reports on any specific point which it may have been requested to examine. Sir, Mr. Akers-Douglas to Mr. MacDonald.-(Received July 15.) Vienna, July 9, 1924. IN accordance with the instructions contained in your despatch of the 22nd May, I have the honour to transmit herewith a report on the system existing in Austria for the parliamentary treatment of international questions. I have, &c. A. AKERS-DOUGLAS. Federal Republic of Austria: Parliamentary Treatment of THE two Houses of the Austrian Parliament, the Nationalrat (National Council) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council), exercise their influence on international questions in the following manner : 1. Conclusion of Treaties. By articles 50 and 65 of the Federal Constitution Law the conclusion of treaties is placed in the hands of the Federal [12155] B 3 President, but treaties which (1) are of a political character, (2) alter existing laws, must be approved by the Nationalrat in order to become valid. Treaties of this nature are brought before the Nationalrat by the Federal Government as a Government Bill, after the agreement has been signed by the contracting States, but before it has been ratified by the Federal President. After the first reading the Nationalrat refers the Bill to the committee (at present the " Principal Committee," acting as Committee for Foreign Affairs), which considers it and then brings before the House a motion in which the reasons for the proposed action are stated. The Nationalrat therefore considers the Bill in a second reading. The second reading is divided into a "general debate" (i.e., the general consideration of the Bill as a whole), and a "special debate" (consideration of detail and voting on the parts of the Bill). In accordance with the standing orders of the Nationalrat, at least one member of each group of Deputies which is represented on the committee must speak at the second reading of treaty Bills. As a rule the presence of one third of the members and a simple majority of the votes recorded is necessary for passing a resolution of the Nationalrat concerning the approval of treaties. If, however, a constitutional law is altered by a treaty, the presence of half of the members and a majority of two-thirds of the votes recorded is necessary. After the second reading of the Bill has been passed the procedure in the Nationalrat is at an end. The resolution of the Nationalrat concerning the approval of the treaty is then communicated to the Bundesrat (Upper House) through the mediation of the Federal Chancellor. The Bundesrat has the right, through the mediation of the Federal Chancellor, to enter in writing a reasoned objection against the resolution within eight weeks after it has been received. Should the Bundesrat raise an objection within this period, the treaty can only be ratified by the Federal President if the Nationalrat repeats its originai resolution in an unaltered form, one-half of the members being present; if this is not done, the Government Bill is considered to be rejected. If the Bundesrat raises no reasoned objection withia this period, or if it resolves before the expiration of this period not to make use of its right of veto, then the parliamentary proceedings with regard to the Bill are at an end, and the treaty is laid before the Federal President for ratification. 2. Consideration and Passing of Bills embodying the Settlemen'. of International Questions. The settlement of international questions is brought about in Austria as a rule by the conclusion of treaties, which-in so far as they are of a political character or alter existing laws, after approval by the Nationalrat and after the conclusion of the procedure in the Bundesrat obtain legal force immediately upon ratification by the Federal Chancellor and publication in the "Official Gazette." It is, however, constitutionally not impossible for international questions to be settled by formal legislation. In practice, however,. practically no use is made of this possibility. 3. Control of the Federation's Conduct of Foreign Affairs. In accordance with article 52 of the Federal Constitution Law the Nationalrat and the Bundesrat have the right to examine the management of affairs by the Federal Government, including their conduct of foreign affairs, to ask questions of members of the Government concerning all matters of executive, and to demand full information appertaining to such matters ("the right of question"). The Minister thus questioned must, by word of mouth or in writing, either give a definite answer, or deny his responsibility, giving his reasons for such a denial. The Nationalrat and the Bundesrat have moreover the right to express by means of resolutions their wishes concerning the exercise of executive powers, including those relating to the conduct of foreign affairs (the "right of resolution"). Finally, the Nationalrat (but not the Bundesrat) has the right to set up by resolution "examining committees" to look into special incidents in the conduct of affairs, including foreign affairs, by the Government of the Federation. Sir, BELGIUM. Sir G. Grahame to Mr. MacDonald.-(Received June 2.) Brussels, May 28, 1924. I HAVE had the honour to receive your despatch of the 22nd instant, in which you request me to report what changes, if any, there have been in the methods adopted by the Belgian Parliament for dealing with international questions since the report, furnished by my predecessor, which was printed in the White Paper, "Miscellaneous No. 5, 1912" (Cd. 6102). The only actual change which has taken place is the constitution of a permanent commission for Foreign Affairs in the Chamber of Representatives similar to that which already existed in the Senate. These commissions have no powers other than those which arise from the reference to them of a treaty or convention. I understand that since Belgium has abandoned, as a result of the war, her status of neutrality, the Belgian Chambers are more occupied with the wider aspect of international relationships. than they were under the old régime, and that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is consequently in more frequent confidential communication with the parliamentary commissions than was formerly the case. I have, &c. GEORGE GRAHAME. [12155] B 4 |