51. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to open up negotiations with other nations in order to secure the, abolition of submarines?
§ 53. Mr. AMMONasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider approaching other Powers with a view to calling a conference to discuss the abolition of the submarine vessel as a part of naval equipment?
§ 54. Mr. CAMPBELLasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the suggestion that an international conference should be called to consider the abolition of the use of submarines in warfare; and whether the Government are considering taking action on these lines?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall answer these questions together. The views of the Government with regard to the abolition of submarines were clearly defined at the Washington Conference, and nothing has occurred since to alter those views.
§ Mr. AMMONMay I ask the Prime Minister if he has seen the letter from the Chairman of Lloyds, backed up by a former First Lord of the Admiralty; and whether the Government are prepared to take the initiative in summoning a fresh Washington Conference to discuss this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERUnfortunately a question on the Paper regarding disarmament generally has not been put. The answer to that would have informed the House that the Council of the League of Nations have been invited by resolution of the last Assembly DO make a preparatory study of the question, with a view to convening a Conference at Geneva on the whole question of disarmament; and while that is going on it would be premature to take any such steps as the hon. Member suggests.
Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALLMay I ask the Prime Minister if he has seen a statement that if submarines are abolished Great Britain will have to abandon her right of blockade?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, of course that has, too, been stated.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEWill the Prime Minister say whether the Government are in favour of the abolition of submarines as a weapon of war?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Member quite followed my answer, he would realise that that is the line the, Government were prepared to take at the Washington Conference. I have stated that the Government have not altered the view then taken.