§ 48. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to take no steps towards initiating a conference to deal with international disarmament until representations are made to this effect by other Powers; whether he will state what kind of intimation from such Powers would induce the Government to make some response; and whether, in view of the fact that since 1899, when this matter was considered at The Hague, there has been a continuous growth of expendi- 2912 ture on armaments, he will adopt some plan by which the policy of international disarmament may become a really live issue?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not believe that international disarmament, if by that is meant abolition of all armed force, is a practical question. His Majesty's Government have always been ready, as the other Powers are aware, to discuss internationally the question of the increasing expenditure on armaments, and any intimation from other Great Powers that they were prepared to consider the question would meet with a ready response from His Majesty's Government.