HC Deb 29 June 1920 vol 131 cc245-6
50. Major GLYN

asked the Prime Minister if the draft of the Arms (Traffic) Convention has been drawn up in its final form and approved by the Allied and Associated Powers; whether other nations have been officially invited to signify their assent and sign that instrument; whether the Government have any information as to the date by which it is possible to hope that this convention will be ratified by the great Powers; whether traffic in arms is being indulged in between many countries, irrespective of the fact that the draft of the convention has been signed as a provisional step towards final ratification; and whether the Government will undertake that British trade will not suffer as a result of the confusion at present obtaining through lack of decision on the part of various Government Departments?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Convention in question was signed by the representatives of practically all the Allied and Associated Powers in September, 1919, and has been laid before Parliament. Other nations have been invited to give an undertaking to adhere to the Convention when ratified by the signatories, and in the meantime to observe its provisions, and this invitation has been accepted in several cases. I cannot at present forecast the date by which the Convention will be ratified by the great Powers. The protocol of the Convention was drawn up with a view to preventing any traffic in arms taking place contrary to the terms of the Convention, pending its ratification, but I understand that in some countries it is difficult, in view of the domestic legislation in force, to give full effect to the protocol. The question of undertaking a revision of the protocol, in order to meet the difficulty thus caused in securing a uniform application by the different countries of the terms of the Convention and protocol, is now under discussion with the principal Powers interested.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

In the meantime, is His Majecty's Government going to supply arms to anyone who wants them to fight with?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I deny the imputation.

Lord R. CECIL

How many Powers have ratified, and are the Government making representations to those Powers who have not ratified?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As I pointed out in the last part of the answer, the question of undertaking a revision of the protocol is under discussion in order to secure that.

Mr. BILLING

Have the League of Nations been consulted, and have they been asked to take action in the matter?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I should like notice of that.