§ 3. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who will be the members and the expert advisers of the British delegation to the forthcoming Conference on Armaments at Geneva: who will be the representatives of the Dominions; and whether a joint programme of policy has been drawn up with the Dominion representatives?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has been asked and has agreed to serve as the British representative on the preparatory Committee on Disarmament, to which I 181 assume the hon. and gallant Member is referring. He will be assisted by representatives of the Foreign Office, Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry. In accordance with the decision of the Council, the committee will be composed of representatives of States members of that body and of certain other States invited ad hoc; the latter do not include any British Dominion. As regards the third part, the Dominion Governments have, as usual, been kept informed of developments. Special steps were also taken with the object of associating them with the work of the sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence appointed to advise on all questions connected with the meeting of the preparatory committee.
§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman give in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the expert advisers who will go? I do not press for it now.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI do not like to undertake to do that without consultation. I do not think it is usual to give the list of experts who accompany Cabinet representatives. I do not think it would be desirable in the public interest.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter? I do not want to press him now. I presume there is no secrecy about it.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThere cannot be any secrecy. The question is whether we should attach responsibility to individuals of that kind who are sent to assist Cabinet Ministers.