HC Deb 11 January 1894 vol 20 cc1347-8
MR. BYLES (York, W.R., Shipley)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, before embarking on new and costly naval expenditure, the Government could see its way to open up communication with other European. Powers with a view to a policy of mutual disarmament?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, Midlothian

This is a question of great importance. I am not sure whether my hon. Friend is aware that it was raised by Lord Clarendon, when Foreign Secretary, shortly before the close of his valued life, when he made with my full concurrence an attempt at progress in this direction. I do not know that it was strictly official, and so it could not be made the subject of documentary information to Parliament. Lord Clarendon, when he made that attempt, certainly did receive a very satisfactory answer from the Government of one great European Power; but he failed to carry the matter further. While holding the view I have expressed on the general subject, I am bound to say I am not of opinion that the present moment is one at which any such representations could be advantageously made.