96. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a report of a speech by M. Rykov, chairman of the council of commissaries in Russia, to the effect that, provided disarmament is general, the Russian Government on its part will abolish the army and all war industries; and whether His Majesty's Government would be prepared to participate in a conference at which Russia would be represented to consider the feasibility of this proposal, on the understanding that effective and satisfactory machinery would be devised to ensure the impartial enforcement of any decisions come to?
§ Captain GEEBefore the hon. Member answers the question, will he bear in mind the fact that the Russian Government have never yet carried out a promise they have made.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not a proper question.
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have seen Press reports of M. Rykov's speech, but His Majesty's Government have no official knowledge of any such proposal. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.
Mr. H. GUESTWill not the Government take steps to find out, officially, whether that speech was made or not, and if it was made, follow it up?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI understand that at its last; Session the League of Nations invited the Soviet Government to take part in this Conference.