50. Captain BENNasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of the resolution passed by the Executive Committee of the League of Nations Union urging His Majesty's Government to take the initiative in calling a conference of all naval Powers to consider the limitation of cruiser strength; and whether he is taking action in accordance with this resolution?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ronald McNeill)I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have nothing to add to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in this House on the 24th June, that if the question of a further conference on naval disarmament was to be treated separately from that for a conference on land disarmament, it would seem best that the initiative should come from the Power which summoned the Washington Conference.
Captain BENNDoes that mean that the Government refuse to take the initiative at all in the matter of naval disarmament?
§ Mr. McNEILLIt means exactly what it says. My right hon. Friend thinks it would be more becoming if it came from the Power that initiated the Washington Conference.
§ Commander BELLAIRSSeeing that both the United States and the British Government are in favour of this conference, what is the obstacle that is holding it up?
§ Captain GARRO-JONESDoes it mean that we have surrendered for ever to America the initiation of naval disarmament?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot make prophecies "for ever."