§ 49. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Prime Minister whether the proposal of the Russian Soviet Government for a general agreement not to use such in-human weapons of warfare as submarines, aeroplanes, and poison gases has been considered by the Cabinet; and whether an opportunity will be given the House of discussing the question?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis whole subject has, on more than one occasion, been considered in the Cabinet, but I do not 1003 think that any useful purpose would be served by its discussion in this House at present.
§ Mr. HOGGEDo we understand from that that the Cabinet approve of the erection of this new committee to examine into the offensive and defensive properties of chemical gases?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis is not a subject that can be dealt with by question and answer. It has not only been considered by the Government, but it is now under consideration of the League of Nations. It is perfectly obvious that this is not only a matter of what the Government desire, but that it would be in their interest to stop it, but it does not depend on us alone.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not the case that with the assent of the Lord President of the Council, who was a member of the Council of the League of Nations, this nation said it could not permit the manufacture of poison gases for war purposes?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Gentleman must have misunderstood anything said by the Lord President of the Council. We would certainly desire to stop it, but if there is danger of war and other people use it, we must be prepared to defend ourselves against it.
§ Captain LOSEBYIs it not the fact that prior to the War there was an agreement not to use poison gas, and that it proved quite valueless, and put this country in danger?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is true. It is obvious that in a matter of this kind we must not only have agreement, but must have certainty that any possible enemy is not preparing in this way.