48. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister what powers of control are still retained by the Allies with regard to disarmament and naval, military and aircraft development on the part of Germany; and what machinery exists for exercising those powers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. and gallant Friend is doubtless aware that the powers of control in Germany conferred upon the ex-Allied Governments were confined by Article 203 of the Treaty of Versailles to the supervision of the execution of those military, naval and air Clauses for the execution of which a time limit was prescribed. The position to-day is that the Naval Commission of Control, having completed its task, was withdrawn in September, 1924. The Military Commission of Control has been considerably reduced and will be completely withdrawn so soon as the programme of requirements agreed upon with the German Government and laid down in the Note addressed by the Ambassadors' Conference to the German Government on 16th November last has been carried out. The Aeronautical Commission of Control, having completed its work, was, in agreement with the German Government, replaced in 1922 by a Committee of Guarantee, whose task is to ensure that aeronautical development in Germany does not infringe the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. Negotiations are now in progress with a view to withdrawing the Committee as soon as Germany's obligations in regard to future aeronautical development have been defined in agreement between the ex-Allied Governments and Germany.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government consider it necessary or advisable to exercise control over the future development of the aircraft policy of Germany?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that is provided for in Article 213.