§ 14. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British ratification of the Arms Traffic Convention adopted in Geneva in 1925 is considered by His Majesty's Government to be conditional upon ratification by other States; if so, the adhesion of What other Governments is considered to be indispensable; what negotiations have been entered upon with these Governments; and whether there is any prospect that ratification will take place in the early future?
§ 21. Mr. DALTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the danger and alarm caused to British subjects resident in the city of Peking by recent aircraft bombardments, he will make representations to the Governments of other Powers in favour of the simultaneous ratification of the Arms Traffic Convention and its application to China?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government consider that it is in the interest of all the arms-producing States to bring the Convention into operation by ratifying simultaneously, and they have recently made this suggestion to the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Sufficient replies have not yet been received to enable me to answer the last part of the question. China is also a signatory to the Convention.