§ MR. BRIGHT (Oldham)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the second Hague Conference, he is prepared to appoint inter-departmental Committees to consider the immunity of private property from capture at sea, and the feasibility of a reciprocal limitation of naval armaments; and whether it is practicable to approach Foreign Governments with specific proposals on either of these subjects.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes, Sir, an inter-departmental Committee will be appointed to consider the question of the immunity of private property from capture at sea. And with regard to the limitation of armaments I would refer my hon. friend to the statement made last night on behalf of the Government by my right hon. friend the Foreign Secretary.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London)asked whether the subject of dealing with the immunity of private property at sea was not one for the Defence Committee.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANEntirely; but I understand that this is a preliminary inquiry among the Departments concerned, with a view to a decision by the Defence Committee.