(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/60
Image Reference:0017
^XTJS
THE PROPERTY OF' HIS BRlilTAKNlC MAJESTY S GOVLRiiMENT) .
1
J RJL^*
Copy No.
C A B I N E T
17 ( 2 9 ) .
M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t t o b e h e l d a t 1 0 , Dovming
S t r e e t , S . w . 1 . , on WEDNESDAY, A p r i 1 1 J t h , 152 9,
^0 a.m.
at
AGE
(if
NLA.
1.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
required).
2.
RATIFICATION OF PROTOCOL FOR PROHIBITION OF USE OF
POISONOUS GASES.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 13 ( 2 9 ) C o n c l u s i o n
5).
Memorandum b y t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r A i r ,
( C P . 93 (29)
- already circulated;.
N o t e b y t h e S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g E x t r a c t from
M i n u t e s of 2 1 7 t h M e e t i n g of C o m m i t t e e of I m p e r i a l
D e f e n c e (11 t h November, 1 9 2 6 ) .
( C P . 97 (29)
- already circulated).
THE POLITICAL SITUATION IE IRA-j,.
Memorandum b y t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e
Colonies.
( C P . 103 (29)
already circulated).
4.
GOVERNMENT POLICY.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 16 ( 2 9 ) C o n c l u s i o n
5)*
( S t a t e m e n t t o b e made b y t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r ) .
5.
THE ALIENS RESTRICTION BILL.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 18 (27) C o n c l u s i o n 1 2 , a n d
Memorandum b y t h e Home S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g
D r a f t B i l l - P a p e r No. H.A. 25 ( 2 7 ) . )
( Q u e s t i o n t o b e r a i s e d b y t h e Home S e c r e t a r y .
6*
COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
Memorandum b y t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d of T r a d e .
( C P . 101 (29)
- already circulated).
7-
MINING SUBSIDENGS.
(Reference Cabinet
56 (27) C o n c l u s i o n
3).
Memorandum b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d o f T r a d e ,
c o v e r i n g R e p o r t of I n t e r d e p a r t m e n t a l C o m m i t t e e .
( C P . 81 ( 2 9 )
already circulated).
ijehall Gardens,
( S i g n e d ) M . P . A . HANKEY,
April, 1929.
Secretary, Cabinet.
t h
felSDOCyMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT) .
Copy No.
C A B I N E T
17 ( 2 9 )
M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t t o b e h e l d a t 1 0 ,
Downing S t r e e t , S . W . 1 . , on WEDNESDAY,
A p r i l 1 7 t h , 1**29, a t 1 1 . 3 0 a . m .
cADDENDUM TO THE AGENDA.
Add t h e f o l l o w i n g new
8.
Item:­
BATTERSEA GENERATING STATION.
Memorandum b y t h e M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h .
( C P . 114- ( 2 9 ) circulated herewith)
Memorandum b y t h e M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t .
( C P . 115 (29) circulated herewith)
(Signed)
M.P.A. HANKEY,
Secretary,
1 Whitehall G a r d e n s , S.W.1 .
P^h April,
1 929..
Cabinet.
C A B I N
17 (29) -
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t h e l d
a t 1 0 , Downing S t r e e t , S . W . 1 . , on WEDNESDAY,
A p r i l 1 7 t h , 1 9 2 9 , a t 1-1 . 3 0 a . m .
PRESENT:The R i g h t Hon. S t a n l e y B a l d w i n , M . P . ,
Prime Minister.
( I n the C h a i r ) .
ie Right Hon.
Sir A u s t e n C h a m b e r l a i n , K.G. ,
M.P., S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
Foreign A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon.
Lord H a i l s h a m ,
Lord C h a n c e l l o r .
He Most Hon.
The M a r q u e s s o f S a l i s b u r y
K.G. , G . C . V . O . , C , B , ,
Lord P r i v y S e a l ,
The R i g h t Hon..
W.S. C h u r c h i l l , C . H . , M . P . ,
Chan c e l l a r o f t h e
Exchequer.
lie Right Hon.
Sir W i l l i a m J o y n s o n - H i c k s ,
B t . , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
for Home J-vf f a i r s .
The R i g h t H o n .
L . 3 . Amery, M . P . , S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t e f o r Dominion A f f a i r s
and S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
the Colonies.
me Right Hon.
Sir Laming W o r t h i n g t o n - E v a n s ,
Bt. . G . B . E . , M . P , , S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t e f o r V/ar.
The R i g h t Hon.
The V i s c o u n t P e e l ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
India.
Igie Right Hon.
Sir Samuel H o a r e , B t . , G . B . E . ,
C.M.G. , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t e f o r A i r ,
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r John Gilmour, B t . , D . S . O . ,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
for Scotland.
I
G.B.E.,
for
The R i g h t Hon.
Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister,
K.B.S.,M.C.,M.P., President
of t h e B o a r d o f T r a d e .
e Right Hon.
/.C. B r i d g e m a n ^ M . P . ,
F i r s t Lord of t h e
Admiralty.
,!
if he Right Hon.
Neville C h a m b e r l a i n , M.P. ,
Minister of H e a l t h . .
I
The R i g h t Hon.
W.E. G u i n n e s s , D . S . 0 . . M . P , ,
M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d
Fisheries.
The Right Hon.
I Lord E u s t a c e P e r c y , M . P . ,
I P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of
m Education.
The R i g h t Hon.
Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland,
B t . , M . P . , M i n i s t e r of
Lab o u r .
The M o s t Hon.
The M a r q u e s s of L o n d o n d e r r y ,
K.G.,M.V.0., F i r s t
C o m m i s s i o n e r of W o r k s .
THE FOLLOWING WERE ALSO PRESENT:­
L i e u t . - C o l o n e l The R i g h t Hon.
Wilfrid Ashley, M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t .
(For C o n c l u s i o n 1 1 . ) .
GOVERNMENT
POLICY.
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 16
( 3 9 ) , Con­
elusion 5.)
1 . I n a e e o r d a n c e w i t h an u n d e r t a k i n g made a t
t h e p r e v i o u s Meeting o f t h e C a b i n e t ,
the
Prime
M i n i s t e r g a v e an o u t l i n e o f t h e p r i n c i p a l h e a d s
o f Government P o l i c y t o w h i c h h e i n t e n d e d
refer
i n h i s speech to be delivered
f o l l o w i n g day i n London.
to
on t h e
T h e s e i n c l u d e d HOUSING,
SLUM CLEARANCE, EDUCATION, MATERNITY, CHILD
WELFARE, FACTORIES LEGISLATION, NURSERY SCHOOLS,
EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT a n d c e r t a i n d e t a i l s
AGRICULTURE i n a d d i t i o n
which l a t t e r
affecting
to t h e r a t i n g
relief,
a l s o provided the p r i n c i p a l item
of
Government P o l i c y f o r RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT.
His aim w o u l d be t o s t r i k e
a s t r o n g n o t e as
to
w h a t t h e Government h a d a l r e a d y a c c o m p l i s h e d ,
i t was w o r k i n g f o r ,
and i t s
i d e a l s , with
the
g e n e r a l l i n e s o f t h e programme t o b e a d o p t e d
t h e n e x t few y e a r s .
He p r o p o s e d t o a v o i d
and p r o m i s e s a s to t h e r a t e a t which t h e
would b e c a r r i e d o u t ,
more s p e c i f i c ,
in
details
policy
On o n e o r two h e a d s ,
as C o l o n i a l Development, he might be a
what
such
little
but the e x e c u t i o n of o t h e r
items
of the Government's p o l i c y would depend upon t h e
amount o f money a v a i l a b l e i n e a c h y e a r ,
c o u l d n o t be f o r e s e e n .
lines
I n view of the
on w h i c h h e i n t e n d e d
to speak,
which
general
t h e Prime
M i n i s t e r d e p r e c a t e d d i s c u s s i o n of t h e v a r i Q u s
detailed proposals
t h a t had been c i r c u l a t e d
-the C a b i n e t .
'
The M i n i s t e r o f A g r i c u l t u r e a n d
a c c e p t e d t h e Prime M i n i s t e r ' s
A g r i c u l t u r e was c o n c e r n e d ,
course his
to
Fisheries
d e c i s i o n so f a r
but asked t h a t in
Memorandum on A g r i c u l t u r a l
Policy
( P a p e r C . P . - 1 1 S . ( 2 9 ) ) s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d by
the
Cabinet.
as
due
The F i r s t L o r d of t h e A d m i r a l t y , r e f e r r i n g
the proposal
in Paper C P .
of B r i t i s h b e e f
the year,
RAGE
htSIOKS.
4untary CON-
1 1 2 ( 2 9 ) f o r Hie s u p p l y
to the Services
f o r s i x months
a s k e d t h a t i n any p u b l i c
t h a t as
t h e Navy o n l y home p o r t s would b e
affected.
that,
t h e l a s t M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t ,
at
he had s e e n
the
Attorney-General
revious
Reference:
i n a r e c e n t s p e e c h S i r Thomas I n s k i p h a d
29), Con­
-lusion 5) .
in regard to the suggestion
a t a coming e x t e n s i o n o f t h e s y s t e m of
contributions
that
t o Old-Age P e n s i o n s .
that
hinted
voluntary
He g a t h e r e d
the Attorney-General had been badly
and t h a t
regards
as r e q u e s t e d
JIBUTI ons TO,
Cabinet 16
in
statement
c a r e s h o u l d b e t a k e n t o make c l e a r
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r s a i d
to
reported
t h e l a n g u a g e he had used had been
guarded.
In any c a s e t h e f a c t s
of t h e
situation
h a d b e e n made c l e a r i n a r e c e n t s p e e c h by
M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
the
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r d i d
not
t h i n k i t w o u l d b e n e c e s s a r y f o r him t o r e f e r
to
t h e m a t t e r i n h i s s p e e c h on G o v e r n m e n t P o l i c y
on
t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y , b u t e v e n i f h e s h o u l d on a n y
occasion find i t necessary
to mention i t h e would
a v o i d g i v i n g a n y p l e d g e and make c l e a r t h a t
w o u l d r e q u i r e a good d e a l o f
it
investigation.
The M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h s a i d t h a t t h e
proposed
e x t e n s i o n w o u l d i n v o l v e an u l t i m a t e c a p i t a l
liability
on t h e E x c h e q u e r w h i c h m i g h t a s a maximum amount
t o £ 1 3 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 f o r men o n l y ;
any f i g u r e s
KOAD TRAFFIC
vious
jHence:
inet 4
1 Con-
he could n o t
give
f o r women.
The F i r s t C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Works s u g g e s t e d
t h e Prime M i n i s t e r t h a t he s h o u l d emphasise
to
the
i m p o r t a n c e o f p a s s i n g a Road B i l l , w h i c h h a d become
a m a t t e r of c o n s i d e r a b l e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t
c o n s e q u e n c e of r e c e n t
accidents.
in
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e
THE EMPIRE
M
A
R
K
E
T
I
N
G
BOARD.
referring
Proposed
British
Marketing
Board.
Policy
(Previous
Reference *
Cabinet 9
(28)
Con­
clusion 9.)
Colonies,
t o h i s Memorandum e n t i t l e d
for the E l e c t i o n "
"An Employment
(Paper C P . - 8 7
(29),
page 4 ) , asked i f t h e Prime M i n i s t e r i n t e n d e d
refer
t o h i s p r o p o s a l s f o r t h e promotion of
m a r k e t i n g of B r i t i s h m a n u f a c t u r e s
to
the
a t home and
overseas .
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r r e p l i e d
refer
t h a t he i n t e n d e d
i n g e n e r a l terms to the importance of
m u l t i p l y i n g of m a r k e t s b o t h a t home and i n
D o m i n i o n s and C o l o n i e s , b u t w i s h e d t o a v o i d
any
details.
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
—
That t h e Prime M i n i s t e r should
announce t h e g e n e r a l p o l i c y of
t h e Government on t h e l i n e s
indicated above.
to
the
the
giving
2 . The a t t e n t i o n o f t h e C a b i n e t was drawn t o
3BTS.
he P o l i c y o f
he B a l f o u r
Jote.
Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 50
(28), Con­
elusion
5.)
a s p e e c h on t h e s u b j e c t o f t h e Budgefi, made i n
t h e Rouse of Commons on t h e p r e v i o u s day by
Mr P h i l i p Snowden, i n t h e c o u r s e o f w h i c h h e
stated
t h a t t h e Labour P a r t y had never
to the principle
denounced i t
subscribed
o f t h e B a l f o u r Mote and h a d
as " a n i n f a m o u s N o t e " , and h a d
s t a t e d t h a t t h e y would h o l d t h e m s e l v e s
"open,
"the circumstances
the
" c o n d i t i o n s of t h a t
arose,
to r e p u d i a t e
if
Note".
The C a b i n e t d i s c u s s e d t h e g e n e r a l l i n e s o f
the
r e m a r k s t o b e made i n t h e House o f Commons t h e
same a f t e r n o o n
on b e h a l f o f t h e Government by t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for
ar.
was s u b s e q u e n t l y d r a f t e d
Their g e n e r a l view
o u t by. t h e C h a n c e l l o r
t h e E x c h e q u e r and r e a d t o t h e C a b i n e t
end o f t h e
towards
of
the
Meeting.
The C a b i n e t
agreed
—
T h a t t h e i r v i e w s s h o u l d b e commu­
n i c a t e d by t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e
Exchequer t o t h e S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e f o r War (who by t h a t t i m e
had l e f t t h e Cabinet i n order to
p r e p a r e h i s speech) i n t h e f o l l o w ­
ing t erms:We w e r e a l l g r e a t l y s u r p r i s e d and s t a r t l e d
y e s t e r d a y by t h e s t a t e m e n t of t h e R i g h t H o n .
G e n t l e m a n t h a t h e and h i s P a r t y w o u l d i f
r e t u r n e d t o power h o l d t h e m s e l v e s f r e e to
r e p u d i a t e the fundamental p r i n c i p l e of the
Balfour Note, namely, t h a t Great B r i t a i n
s h o u l d t a k e no m o r e from E u r o p e by way o f
d e b t s and r e p a r a t i o n s t h a n s h e r e q u i r e s t o
pay h e r own o b l i g a t i o n s t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
This p r i n c i p l e has been for seven y e a r s t h e
f o u n d a t i o n of t h e t r e a t m e n t of European d e b t
p r o b l e m s by e v e r y Government w h i c h h a s h e l d
office here.
I t h a s come t o be g e n e r a l l y
r e c o g n i s e d t h r o u g h o u t E u r o p e as a jusi$ and
unchallengeable principle.
I t has been
embodied i n f o r m a l a r t i c l e s i n b o t h a g r e e ­
m e n t s made f o r d e b t s e t t l e m e n t s w i t h I t a l y
and w i t h P r a n c e .
The s e t t l e m e n t w i t h I t a l y
has been actually r a t i f i e d :
the settlement
w i t h Prance has n o t been r a t i f i e d but Prance
h a s p a i d p u n c t u a l l y ^ and we h a v e e v e r y r e a s o n
to b e l i e v e w i l l c o n t i n u e to pay, the important
sums a g r e e d u p o n b e t w e e n t h e two c o u n t r i e s .
The p r i n c i p l e o f t h e B a l f o u r N o t e i s t h e
foundation of our policy towards the
E x p e r t I n q u i r y now p r o c e e d i n g i n P a r i s .
Great hopes have been a t t a c h e d t o t h i s
E x p e r t Commission, n o t only p u r e l y i n
t h e r e g i o n s of f i n a n c e but as a f u r t h e r
c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e appeasement of Europe
a n d t o t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f Germany from
f o r e i g n o c c u p a t i o n and f i n a n c i a l c o n t r o l .
I t i s a w a n t o n and a r e c k l e s s a c t i n no
way c a l l e d f o r by a n y t h i n g t h a t h a s
o c c u r r e d f o r t h e R i g h t Hon. G e n t l e m a n
and h i s P a r t y now t o t h r e a t e n t o r e p u d i ­
a t e t h e p r i n c i p l e upon which every forward
s t e p t o w a r d s E u r o p e a n r e c o n s t r u c t i o n and
peace has been t a k e n .
I f such a d e c l a r a ­
t i o n w e r e p e r s i s t e d i n and E u r o p e i s l e d
to believe that B r i t i s h policy i n the futtr e
may aim a t o b t a i n i n g l a r g e r p a y m e n t s from
E u r o p e on a c c o u n t of d e b t s a n d r e p a r a t i o n s
t h a n a r e r e q u i r e d from h e r by t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , t h e u t m o s t i n j u r y w i l l be done n o t
only t o B r i t i s h i n t e r e s t s but t o t h e wider
i n t e r e s t s of world p e a c e .
The L e a d e r o f t h e O p p o s i t i o n i s I b e l i e v e
speaking l a t e r t h i s evening i n t h i s debate
and I a s k him f o r m a l l y w h e t h e r h e a c c e p t s
and endorses t h e d e c l a r a t i o n of t h e R i g h t
H o n . F e m b e r f o r C o l n e V a l l e y and i f t h i s
c o n s t i t u t e s t h e o f f i c i a l p o l i c y of t h e
Labour P a r t y ,
IRPDUGTION
AND
VrlTATION OF
WrtrrjyE&TS.
l^g^o-Ameriean
Relations .
3 . The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
informed
the Cabinet t h a t
the information
c a t e d by t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Embassy t o
t h a t V\T C a s t l e ,
Affairs
eommuni­
the
of t h e S t a t e Department,
effect
would
l(Previous
I Reference:
I Cabinet 16
I (29), C o n ­
accorpany t h e American D e l e g a t i o n to t h e meeting
1 e l u s i o n 1.)
t o be i n c o r r e c t .
o f t h e P r e p a r a t o r y C o m m i s s i o n a t Geneva h a d p r o v e d
as s e t
The l a t e s t
intelligence,
f o r t h i n Geneva T e l e g r a m N o . 2 2 , o f
1 6 t h , was r a t h e r r e a s s u r i n g .
effect
however,
that
April
T h i s was t o
t h e American Admiral
Hilary
the
Jones
h a d i n f o r m e d A d m i r a l K e l l y t h a t a p r o p o s a l by u s
b a s e d on t h e p r e s e n t n a v a l p o s i t i o n w o u l d
lead to success, that i s
not to be exceeded:
to say:-
t o b u i l d no more C r u i s e r s
r e p l a c e m e n t due before
for
Existing
a g r e e m e n t u p t o 1936
w i t h t h e Washington Convention;
consider favourably
probably
United
expiring
States?:
a s t h e y h a d no
1940:
tonnage
Cruiser
United States
would
a moderate replacement
programme
Great B r i t a i n as they r e a l i s e t h a t t h e
of our C r u i s e r s pass
t h e age l i m i t
majority
a t t h e same t i m e ;
the present arranged s u p e r i o r i t y in 8-inch Cruisers
2 3 t o 20 i s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t p o i n t
probably to concessions
t o them
elsewhere;
i f an agreement
c o u l d b e r e a c h e d on t h e s e l i n e s , w h i c h
really
leading
are
t h e p u b l i s h e d programme o f t h e two c o u n t r i e s ,
t h i s might s e r v e as an i n t e r n a t i o n a l
basis;
- " t h e Americans would a g r e e t o t h e m o d i f i e d
proposal in categories
1 0 , 0 0 0 t o 1,850
French
tons,
next
b e l o w 1850 t o n s , n e x t s u b m a r i n e s , w h i c h w o u l d
p r o b a b l y be a c c e p t a b l e to us i f
w i t h by
America".
other points
agreed
The F i r s t
Lord o f t h e A d m i r a l t y s a i d t h a t
above p r o p o s a l s r e q u i r e d f u r t h e r
detail,
tut
at first
examination
sight appeared to
A d m i r a l t y tol.-be h o p e f u l .
a c c e p t a b l e he hoped t h a t
Should they
the
in
the
prove
t h e g r e a t e s t c a r e would
be t a k e n t o c a r r y J a p a n w i t h iis .
In t h e course of the d i s c u s s i o n the
of a s e t t l e m e n t
possibility
o f t h e N a v a l q u e s t i o n on s o u n d
l i n e s was g e n e r a l l y w e l c o m e d , b u t t h e n e e d
c a u t i o n was
for
mentioned.
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
A f f a i r s and t h e F i r s t Lord o f t h e
Admiralty u n d e r t o o k t o examine the
q u e s t i o n i n t h e f i r s t i n s t a n c e , and
t h e former i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h i s might
n e c e s s i t a t e h i s asking for the
resumption of t h e adjourned d i s c u s ­
s i o n by t h e C a b i n e t on A n g l o - A m e r i c a n
delations.
Ml
PROPOSED
--A AD-HAIFA
m AND
INS.
evious
ference:
- - t 12
5), Con­
usion 5 ) .
if,
The S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r P o r e i g n . A f f a i r s
reminded the C a b i n e t of t h e d e c i s i o n they had
taken at
effect
t h e m e e t i n g on t h e 2 0 t h March t o
t h a t he s h o u l d i n s t r u c t His
Ambassador i n P a r i s
the
Majesty's
t o t a k e up t h e q u e s t i o n
of
t h e 3agh.dadr.llaifa R a i l w a y w i t h M. B e r t h e l o t
of t h e F r e n c h F o r e i g n O f f i c e .
Cabinet d e c i s i o n ,
In accordance with
a despatch with the
relevant
documents had been s e n t t o S i r W i l l i a m
Tyrrell.
S i r Austen Chamberlain h i m s e l f had accompanied
the despatch with a p r i v a t e l e t t e r ,
and had
seen
S i r W i l l i a m T y r r e l l on h i s way t h r o u g h P a r i s .
Since t h e n , however, an o f f i c i a l
of t h e F o r e i g n
O f f i c e h a d d i s c o v e r e d t h e e x i s t e n c e o f an
a d d i t i o n a l d o c u m e n t from w h i c h
i t appeared t h a t
the I r a q i
Cabinet
had been w i l l i n g t o g r a n t an e x t e n s i o n to
T u r k i s h P e t r o l e u m Company on c e r t a i n
which i n c l u d e d t h e e v e n t u a l
conditions,
c o n s t r u c t i o n of a
railway to the M e d i t e r r a n e a n ,
the p o r t of Haifa.
without
I t was o n l y i n
sight
to i n v a l i d a t e
to Sir William
specifying
consequence
o f r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s b y S i r H e n r y Dobbs
H a i f a had b e e n i n c l u d e d .
the
that
This appeared a t
first
the case which had been
sent
Tyrrell.
S i r A u s t e n C h a m b e r l a i n s a i d t h a t h e was
t a k i n g t h e m a t t e r up w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y of
State
f o r t h e C o l o n i e s , b u t i n t h e meanwhile he h a d
f e l t bound t o i n f o r m t h e C a b i n e t t h a t
that,
a n d t h a t a l o n e , was t h e r e a s o n why h e h a d n o t
been able to c a r r y out the Cabinet
r e f e r r e d t o in the margin.
-8­
decision
the
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e
Colonies
informed t h e Cabinet t h a t h i s a t t e n t i o n had
j u s t been c a l l e d to the m a t t e r ,
had t i m e t o make f u l l
referred
of t h e
either
for
or- a s t o why i t h a d n o t b e e n
included in the s e r i e s sent
to S i r
William
He was f a r from b e i n g a s s u r e d
t h e document i n q u e s t i o n i n v a l i d a t e d t h e
c a s e , and asked t h a t
j u d g m e n t m i g h t be
u n t i l h e and t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
Affairs
as
document
t o b y t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
Foreign A f f a i r s ,
Tyrrell.
a n d he h a d n o t
investigations,
to the p r e c i s e s i g n i f i c a n c e
only
h a d h a d t i m e t o go i n t o t h e
that
British
reserved
Foreign
matter.
OHEMICAL
POLICY.
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet I S
( 9 ) , ConI elusion 5 . )
2
5.
I n pursuance of t h e Conclusion r e f e r r e d
i n the margin,
consideration
the Cabinet had under
further
t h e p r o p o s a l c o n t a i n e d i n a Memo­
randum ( P a p e r CP.-Sijf
(29))
by t h e S e c r e t a r y
State for Air for the r a t i f i c a t i o n
Protocol for
to
of
of
the
t h e P r o h i b i t i o n o f t h e Use o f
Poisonous Gases, subject
t o t h e same r e s e r v a t i o n s
w i t h w h i c h o t h e r P o w e r s , i n c l u d i n g P r a n c e and
Russia,.accompanied their r a t i f i c a t i o n s ,
viz.:­
" ( i ) The Government i s o n l y bound by t h e
Protocol v i s - a - v i s those other States
w h i c h h a v e s i g n e d and r a t i f i e d t h e
P r o t o c o l or a d h e r e d t h e r e t o ;
(ii)
The G o v e r n m e n t c e a s e s t o b e b o u n d
b y t h e P r o t o c o l v i s - a - v i s any enemy
S t a t e whose armed f o r c e s o r whose
a l l i e s do n o t r e s p e c t t h e P r o t o c o l " .
After a short discussion,
the
Cabinet
agreed —
(a) That t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r A i r ' s
p r o p o s a l should be r e f e r r e d i n the
f i r s t i n s t a n c e t o t h e Committee of
I m p e r i a l Defence f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n
a t t h e i r m e e t i n g on A p r i l p O t h :
(b) That t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r Dominion
A f f a i r s s h o u l d inform t h e Dominions
of t h e n a t u r e of t h i s p r o p o s a l , a n d t h a t
i t was t o b e c o n s i d e r e d b y t h e C o m m i t t e e
of I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e ' a n d s h o u l d i n v i t e
the Governments concerned t o communicate
t h e i r views e i t h e r to t h e i r repiresen­
t a t i v e s a t t h e m e e t i n g of t h e Committee
of I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e o r d i r e c t t o
His L i a j e s t y s Government.
r
6.
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e t h e i r a Memorandum by
t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e Colonies
C . P . - 1 0 3 (29)) c o v e r i n g r e c e n t
(Paper
t e l e g r a m s which have
p a s s e d b e t w e e n t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e and t h e
Pr-ish Commissioner f o r I r a q r e g a r d i n g t h e
s i t u a t i o n in Iraq.
political
The Memorandum r e c a l l e d
a t t h e i r Meeting r e f e r
that,
ed t o i n t h e m a r g i n ,
the
C a b i n e t h a d a p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s e d new T r e a t y
with
I r a q b u t had agreed t h a t the r a t i f i c a t i o n
the
T r e a t y s h o u l d be h e l d o v e r u n t i l
the Military
of
the r e v i s i o n
of
and F i n a n c i a l A g r e e m e n t s of 1924 h a d
been completed.
The n e g o t i a t i o n s
of t h e Agreements had b r o k e n
for the
revision
DOWN, t h e I r a q
M i n i s t r y had r e s i g n e d i n December,
1 9 2 8 , and
it
a p p e a r e d most i m p r o b a b l e t h a t any M i n i s t r y c o u l d b e
formed w h i c h would a c c e p t t h e B r i t i s h
terms.
I n view of t h e s e r i o u s consequences of
t o r e a c h some s o l u t i o n ,
failure
n e g o t i a t i o n s have
place between S i r G i l b e r t
taken
C l a y t o n and King
w h i c h h a v e r e s u l t e d i n a modus
Feisal
VIVENDI u n d e r w h i c h
i t was h o p e d t h a t an I r a q M i n i s t r y m i g h t a g r e e
function.
The p r o p o s a l s i n c l u d e d ( l )
the
m e n t o f t h e D r a f t T r e a t y of 1927 and t h e
new M i l i t a r y
place
and F i n a n c i a l A g r e e m e n t s ,
of 1924:
and ( 2 )
t h e g i v i n g by H i s
Government of c e r t a i n a s s u r a n c e s
important
abandon­
proposed
and i n
an e x t e n s i o n o f t h e c u r r e n c y o f t h e
to
their
Agreements
Majesty"s
o f w h i c h t h e most
e l a t e d to the entry of I r a q i n t o
the
L e a g u e o f N a t i o n s i n 19 3 2 .
After
consultation with a l l t h e
interested
D e p a r t m e n t s t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e
had,
Colonies
by T e l e g r a m No. 108 o f t h e 2 5 t h M a r c h ,
authorised Sir Gilbert
Clayton to notify
1929,
King
Feisal
that,
subject
to c e r t a i n qualifications
in that telegram,
a settlement
on t h e
b a s i s wouldbbe a c c e p t a b l e to His
Government,
the action
set
proposed
Majesty's
and h e i n v i t e d t h e C a b i n e t t o
t a k e n by him i n t h e
o t h e r Members o f
and, he
by His M a j e s t y ' s
consented
t o a r t i c l e 8 of
1927 T r e a t y , w h i c h c o n t a i n e d a n
the
undertaking
Government t o s u p p o r t
c a n d i d a t u r e of I r a q f o r a d m i s s i o n to
L e a g u e o f n a t i o n s i n 19.52.
the
the
As s t a t e d
p a r a g r a p h 8 i n t h e memorandum b y t h e
of S t a t e f o r
Affairs
thought,
the Cabinet, had
somewhat r e l u c t a n t l y
approve
matter.
The S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
r e c a l l e d t h a t he h i n s e l f
out
in
Secretary
the Colonies, the Foreign
Office
had been c o n s u l t e d b e f o r e a s s e n t had been
following
g i v e n to t h e / p a s s a g e i n t h e S e c r e t a r y of
State's
t e l e g r a m of 2 5 t h M a r c h : ­
" T h a t His M a j e s t y ' s Government a r e ,
however, p r e p a r e d to inform the
League C o u n c i l a t e a r l i e s t
o p p o r t u n i t y when n o t i f y i n g t h a t
body t h a t i t i s n o t proposed to
p r o c e e d w i t h 1927 T r e a t y , t h a t i t
i s His Majesty'sGovernment's
i n t e n t i o n , u n l e s s i n t h e meantime
any s e r i o u s c h e c k i n t h e p o l i t i c a l
o r economic p r o g r e s s of t h e c o u n t r y
h a s o c c u r r e d , t o recommend t o t h e
Council a t t h e i r June s e s s i o n in
1932, by which time v a r i o u s i m p o r t a n t
intermial and e x t e r n a l q u e s t i o n s which
are s t i l l under s e t t l e m e n t should
h a v e b e e n d i s p o s e d of, t h a t I r a q
s h o u l d b e a d m i t t e d t o m e m b e r s h i p of
the League f o r t h w i t h . "
S i r A u s t e n Chamber-lain h a d m i n u t e d t h i s
the Foreign Office
to the effect
that
in
all
f u t u r e p a p e r s on t h e s u b j e c t s h o u l d b e
referred
t o him p e r s o n a l l y ,
this
and he t h o u g h t
that
m a t t e r was o f s u c h i m p o r t a n c e t h a t any
future
c h a n g e s of p o l i c y s h o u l d b e b r o u g h t by t h e
Ministers
concerned before the
-12­
Cabinet.
Subject to t h i s , the Cabinet
approved the a c t i o n taken by the
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e C o l o n i
a s s e t f o r t h i n t h e memorandum
C P .
103
(29).
EMPLOYMENT
(prsvious
Reference'
Cabinet 1 3
(29), Con­
elusion 8.)
7.
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e them a Note by t h e
M i n i s t e r o f Labour (Paper C P . - 1 1 3 (29))
that
proposing
a s m a l l Committee o f t h e C a b i n e t s h o u l d be
a p p o i n t e d a t once to p r e p a r e ,
o n t h e b a s i s of
m a t e r i a l contained i n the Report
Department
C.P.-104
of t h e
1 C o r r m i t t e e on Unemployment
the
Inter(Paper
( 2 9 ) ) , a Memorandum f o r a p p r o v a l by
t h e C a b i n e t and s u b s e q u e n t p u b l i c a t i o n a s a W h i t e
P a p e r , c o n t a i n i n g a r e p l y t o t h e p r o p o s a l s made
i n Wx L l o y d G e o r g e ' s p a m p h l e t
"We c a n c o n q u e r
unemployment".
A f t e r some d i s c u s s i o n ,
the Cabinet agreed —
T h a t any u s e of t h e m a t e r i a l
c o n t a i n e d i n t h e R e p o r t of
t h e I n t e r - D e p a r t m e n t a l Committee
on Unemployment f o r p o l i t i c a l
p u r p o s e s m u s t b e made on t h e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e M i n i s t e r
c o n c e r n e d , who of c o u r s e i n any
e v e n t would n o t r e f e r p u b l i c l y
t o t h e document i n q u e s t i o n .
HJJT^S
rjjj,
PREVIOUS
-eference:
Cabinet 13
(27), Con­
elusion
12)
3.
The Home S e c r e t a r y ,
who a t one t i m e h a d
hoped t h a t t h e C a b i n e t might be w i l l i n g
s a n c t i o n h i s making a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h
to
the
Government V/hips t o p r o c e e d w i t h t h e A l i e n s
R e s t r i c t i o n B i l l , which had b e e n dropped
f o r l a c k of time i n t h e 1927 S e s s i o n , s t a t e d
t h a t i n p r e s e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s h e would
press his
proposal.
not
CO!BTTTEE ON
INDUSTRY AND
IRADE .
9.
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e
by t h e P r e s i d e n t
CP.-101
Ehe B a l f o u r
COMMITTEE
REPORT.
(PREVIOUS
REFERENCE:
CABINET h-0
(24) GONCLUSION 7) ,
3282).
of t h e Eoard of T r a d e
(29)) r e l a t i v e
the Balfour
them a Memorandum
(Paper
to t h e F i n a l R e p o r t
of
Committee on T r a d e and I n d u s t r y
The Memorandum e x p r e s s e d t h e v i e w
that
t h e Government s h o u l d d e c i d e w i t h o u t d e l a y
of t h e Co:vmittee's recommendations
prepared
t o a d o p t so f a r as t h e s e
c a l l for
a c t i o n by t h e
they
(Cmd.
which
are
recommendations
Government.
A t t a c h e d t o t h e Memorandum i n L i s t s A and B
a r e t h e v a r i o u s recommendations which concern
the
Board of Trade, t o g e t h e r with a n o t e i n each c a s e
of what i s or s h o u l d ,
in the P r e s i d e n t s
be t h e Government's a t t i t u d e .
proposals which c a l l
List A contains
f o r a d d i t i o n a l or
a c t i o n by t h e G o v e r n m e n t ,
revised
and L i s t B p r o p o s a l s
t o w h i c h e x i s t i n g Government a c t i o n
conforms.
opinion,
already
An A p p e n d i x c o n t a i n s a summary o f
the
Committee's p r i n c i p a l findings
and r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
c a l l i n g f o r Government a c t i o n ,
or h a v i n g a b e a r i n g
on Government p o l i c y , w h i c h p r i m a r i l y a f f e c t
D e p a r t m e n t s t h a n t h e Board o f
other
Trade.
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d —
(a) That u n l e s s he s h o u l d r e c e i v e
o b j e c t i o n s from any o f h i s c o l l e a g u e s ,
t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d of
T r a d e s h o u l d h a v e a u t h o r i t y t o make
a n n o u n c e m e n t s on t h e l i n e s p r o p o s e d
i n h i s memorandum ( C P , 101 ( 2 9 ) ) .
( b ) T h a t M i n i s t e r s who m i g h t h a v e a n y
o b j e c t i o n s t o make s h o u l d
c o m m u n i c a t e them t o t h e P r e s i d e n t
- o f t h e B o a r d of T r a d e b e f o r e t h e
end o f t h e p r e s e n t week.
MINING SUBSIDENCE.
(previous
Reference:
C a b i n e t 57
( 2 7 ) , Con­
e l u s i o n 3.)
1 0 . With, r e f e r e n c e
to the Conclusion noted
in
t h e m a r g i n , t h e C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e them a Memoran­
dum by t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d o f T r a d e
CP.-81
(29))
Departmental
covering the Report of the
(Paper
Inter-
C o m m i t t e e on t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
of
t h e R o y a l Commission on M i n i n g S u b s i d e n c e and a
N o t e t h e r e o n by t h e S e c r e t a r y
for
Mines.
I n h i s Memorandum t h e P r e s i d e n t
Trade, a f t e r
of t h e Board of
s t a t i n g his reasons for
rejecting
t h e Royal Corrmission's recommendations r e l a t i v e
the endorsement of conveyances
relief
that
(No . 5 ) a n d
the
f o r " s m a l l " p r o p e r t y owners ( N o . 9 ) ,
i n h i s v i e w a c t i o n on t h e R e p o r t
postponed u n t i l s u i t a b l e
s h o u l d t h e n be l i m i t e d
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
as
to
intimatal
should be
opportunity arises
and
follows:­
To p u b l i s h t h e M i n i n g A s s o c i a t i o n ' s
u n d e r t a k i n g to give i n f o r m a t i o n about
colliery workings.
Subject t o the views of the Secretary
for Scotland, to introduce l e g i s l a t i o n
t o d e a l w i t h t h e d e c i s i o n i n Buchanan
and A n d r e w .
To i n t r o d u c e l e g i s l a t i o n t o e n a b l e
" s m a l l " p r o p e r t y owners t o e n f o r c e
c l a i m s a r i s i n g o u t of s u b s i d e n c e i n
t h e County C o u r t .
( i v ) To e x t e n d S e c t i o n 157 o f t h e P u b l i c
Health Act, 1875, i n order to provide
f u r t h e r s u p e r v i s i o n over b u i l d i n g in
mining areas .
The P r e s i d e n t c o n c l u d e d by i n v i t i n g t h e C a b i n e t
approve h i s
proposals
on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g
t h e d e c i s i o n s would n o t be p u b l i s h e d u n t i l
to
that
the
Government w e r e p r e s s e d f o r t h e i r c o n s i d e r e d
views.
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
—
( a ) To a p p r o v e t h e p r o p o s a l s o f
t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of
T r a d e , on t h e - u n d e r s t a n d i n g
t h a t h e w o u l d , as f a r as p o s s i b l
d i s c o u r - a g e t h e r a i s i n - o f any
c u e s t i o n s on t h i s s u b j e c t :
(b)
That t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
S c o t l a n d s h o u l d c o r m r u n i c a t e any
observations he night wish to
r a k e to the P r e s i d e n t of the
B o a r d of T r a d e i n r e g a r d t o
i t e i r ( i i ) above as soon a s
possible.
THE ELECTRICITY
BOARD.
—
5be B a t t e r s e a
generating
Station.
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 58
(28), Con­
e l u s i o n G.)
11.
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e them t h e
following
d o c u m e n t s r e l a t i n g t o t h e p r o p o s e d new B a t t e r s e a
Generating
Station:-
A Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r o f
Health (Paper C.P.-114 (29))
c o v e r i n g a copy o f a l e t t e r from
the King's Private Secretary,
t o g e t h e r w i t h h i s own r e p l y .
In
h i s l e t t e r the King's P r i v a t e
S e c r e t a r y , w r i t i n g on b e h a l f of
t h e K i n g , h a d drawn a t t e n t i o n t o
r e c e n t c o r r e s p o n d e n c e i n "The
Times" p r o t e s t i n g a g a i n s t t h e
p o l l u t i o n o f t h e a t m o s p h e r e by
t h e e m i s s i o n o f n o x i o u s fumes
froii" t h e p r o p o s e d S t a t i o n :
A Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r o f
Transport (Paper C P . - 1 1 5 (29))
c o v e r i n g a R e p o r t from t h e
E l e c t r i c i t y Commission c o n t a i n i n g
p a r t i c u l a r s of t h e s t e p s a l r e a d y
t a k e n by t h e E l e c t r i c i t y Commis­
sion to safeguard public health
and p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s a g a i n s t
n o x i o u s f u m e s , and p r o p o s i n g
t h a t t h e Government C h e m i s t and
t h e D e p a r t m e n t of S c i e n t i f i c and
I n d u s t r i a l R e s e a r c h s h o u l d be
r e q u e s t e d t o examine t h e r e s u l t s
a l r e a d y o b t a i n e d by t h e Company
in i t s researches in this question,
to keep i n touch with the progress
o f t h e Company s i n v e s t i g a t i o n , a n d
t o r e p o r t t o and a d v i s e t h e
E l e c t r i c i t y C o m m i s s i o n e r s and t h e
F i r s t C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Works i n t h e
matter .
v
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
-­
( a ) To a p p r o v e t h e p r o p o s a l of t h e
M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t t h a t t h e
Government Chemist and t h e D e p a r t m e n t
of S c i e n t i f i c a n d I n d u s t r i a l R e s e a r c h
should b e r e q u e s t e d to examine the
r e s u l t s a l r e a d y o b t a i n e d by the
London Power Company L t d . , i n i t s
r e s e a r c h e s i n t o t h e q u e s t i o n of
s a f e g u a r d i n g p u b l i c h e a l t h and
p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s a g a i n s t noxious
fumes:
(b) T h a t t h e M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h , t h e F i r s t
C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Works a n d t h e M i n i s t e r
of T r a n s p o r t s h o u l d k e e p i n t o u c h
w i t h the above e n q u i r i e s :
( c ) To a p p r o v e g e n e r a l l y t h e a n s w e r p r o p o s e d ,
i n t h e M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t s
memorandum t o a P a r l i a m e n t a r y Q u e s t i o n
t o h e a s k e d hy V i s c o u n t S a n d o n , a s s e t
f o r t h on p a g e 2 of C P . 115 ( 2 9 ) .
s u b j e c t t o c e r t a i n amendments p r o p o s e d
by t h e M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t , a n d t o
a d d i t i o n s covering the following
points:­
(i)
(ii)
That t h e M i n i s t e r s concerned were
following the question very
closely:
That t h e problem of d e a l i n g w i t h
smoke and g r i t p r e s e n t s no
d i f f i c u l t i e s , and t h a t e f f i c i e n t
m e a s u r e s can a n d w i l l b e t a k e n
t o p r e v e n t any h a r m f u l r e s u l t s
from t h i s c a u s e :
( d ) T h a t , i n t h e e v e n t of s u p p l e m e n t a r y
Questions as to the l i n e the
G o v e r n m e n t would t a k e i f i t s h o u l d
t r a n s p i r e t h a t t h e Company's
p r o p o s a l s a r e n o t r e g a r d e d by t h e
G o v e r n m e n t C h e m i s t and t h e D e p a r t ­
m e n t o f S c i e n t i f i c and I n d u s t r i a l
Research as s a t i s f a c t o r y , the
M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t s h o u l d r e p l y
to the e f f e c t t h a t i n t h a t event a
new s i t u a t i o n would b e c r e a t e d , a n d
t h a t M i n i s t e r s would keep P a r l i a m e n t
informed and c o n s i d e r f u r t h e r s t e p s
for p r o t e c t i n g public i n t e r e s t s .
'1LLP0X.
SB
REPORTED
PRECAUTIONS
BY THE FRENCH
GOVERNMENT.
12.
The a t t e n t i o n o f t h e C a b i n e t was
to reports
in the newspapers t h a t the
Government h a d i s s u e d r e g u l a t i o n s
invited
French
requiring
no p e r s o n s h o u l d e n t e r F r a n c e from G r e a t
that
Britain
u n l e s s v a c c i n a t e d w i t h i n t h e p r e v i o u s two m o n t h s .
The M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h r e c e i v e d
during the Meeting to the effect
information
that
these
regula­
t i o n s h a d b e e n i s s u e d by t h e l o c a l o f f i c e r s
Dunkirk w i t h o u t a u t h o r i t y
at
from t h e c e n t r a l
Govern­
TR-ent, b u t t h e F r e n c h C a b i n e t was t o meet a t noon
to consider the question.
Assurances had been
t e l e g r a p h e d t o t h e F r e n c h Government i n r e g a r d
t h e s e r i o u s e a s e s o f s m a l l p o x among p e r s o n s
to
landed
from t h e S . S . TUSCANIA, and t h e A m b a s s a d o r was n o t
w i t h o u t hope t h a t
cancel the
t h e F r e n c h Government m i g h t
regulations.
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
a l s o gave t h e Cabinet i n f o r m a t i o n
t h e same e f f e c t ,
Affairs
i n t h e main to
though i n d i c a t i n g t h a t the
t i o n s were to apply t o a l l Channel
regula­
ports.
The M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h made a s t a t e m e n t
to
the
Cabinet r e g a r d i n g t h e i n c i d e n c e of smallpox i n
country during the present year,
including
l a r s o f t h e c a s e s among p e r s o n s
l a n d e d from
S . S . TUSCANIA, t o g e t h e r w i t h d e t a i l s
precautions
of
particu­
the
the
t a k e n by t h e H e a l t h A u t h o r i t i e s ,
had g r e a t l y reduced t h e r i s k of s p r e a d of
Mr N e v i l l e
which
infection.
Chamberlain said t h a t i n t h e course
t h e p r e s e n t y e r r t h e r e had been 3,896 c a s e s
mild s r a l l p o x in t h i s
country.
this
of
of
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
said that
at
Affairs
the p r e s e n t s t a g e t h e only
answer
h e c o u l d g i v e t o Cuesx,ions i n P a r l i a m e n t
t h a t t h e French Cabinet were meeting to
t h e q u e s t i o n and t h a t t h e B r i t i s h
w e r e i n com: \ m i c a t i o n w i t h t h e r
Q,, W h i t e h a l l G a r d e n s ,
A p r i l 17,
1929.
S.W.1,
was
consider
Government
on t h e
subject.