HC Deb 28 February 1912 vol 34 cc1347-8
Mr. ALDEN

asked whether any attempt has been made on the part of the Government to secure by International arrangement the prohibition of the use of bomb-throwing airships and aeroplanes in time of war; and, if not, whether the Foreign Office will consider the advisability of instructing our representatives to raise the question at the next Hague Conference?

Mr. ACLAND

The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the Declaration signed at the last Peace Conference by the representatives of some twenty-seven States, including Great Britain, prohibiting the discharge of projectiles and explosives from balloons or by other new methods of a similar nature for a period extending to the close of the third Peace Conference. His Majesty's Government will certainly consider the question of what instructions can properly be given to the British representatives on the subject when the time for the third Conference approaches.

Mr. ALDEN

Can the hon. Gentleman state the date of the next Peace Conference?

Mr. ACLAND

The next Peace Conference will be in 1915.