§ 23. Mr. HUDSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to take immediate steps to call an international conference of representatives from the British, French, Italian, German, and Japanese Governments to consider a programme to limit naval and military armaments, with special reference to the limitations of cruisers, submarines, aircraft, and the use of poisonous gas; to secure mutual reduction of existing military establishments consistent with national safety, and to regulate through international 960 agreement the production and sale of arms and munitions; and whether he will ascertain if the United States of America are prepared to co-operate in such a proposal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERBroadly speaking, the whole of the programme suggested by my hon. Friend is already under discussion by the League of Nations, and I do not think the present moment would be suitable for an independent step of the comprehensive kind described. I must wait developments.
§ 42. Mr. ERNEST BROWNasked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the Government to come to an understanding with European Governments with a view to the limitation of air power; and whether any proposals have been made to this end?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs I announced to the House three weeks ago, it is the policy of the Government to pursue policies which it hopes may lead to a general limitation of armaments. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, these things are not done by throwing schemes at the heads of other Governments, but by careful preparation of conditions which make such proposals reasonable.