asked the Prime Minister whether the Protocol opened for signature by the League of Nations Assembly affirming the independent existence of the League Covenant, and its consequent separation from the treaties of peace, has been signed by His Majesty's Government; and when it will now come into force?

The Protocol was signed on 30th September, 1938, on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all parts of the British Empire which are not separate Members of the League of Nations, and the instrument of ratification by His Majesty the King, in respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was deposited with the Secretariat of the League of Nations on 20th January, 1939. The Protocol will come into force, in accordance with the provisions of Article 26 of the Covenant, when ratified by the Members of the League whose representatives compose the Council and by a majority of the members of the League whose representatives compose the Assembly,