HC Deb 03 June 1931 vol 253 cc184-5
4. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government will consider the advisability of proposing at the World Disarmament Conference that steps should be taken to internationalise air transport?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

As the Prime Minister informed the House on the 11th May, a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, including representatives of the two other parties, is engaged on the consideration of problems connected with the forthcoming Disarmament Conference. In these circumstances, I am not in a position to make any statement at present on particular problems such as that referred to by the hon. Member.

Mr. MANDER

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say, at any rate, that this is a matter which will not be overlooked?

Mr. HENDERSON

I can assure the hon. Member that we are entering into the examination in a very comprehensive way.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the Dominions will be consulted very fully in this matter?

Mr. HENDERSON

We are in touch with the Dominions on all these matters, but of course they will be separately represented at the Conference.

6. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken by the League of Nations to counteract propaganda against the success of the Disarmament Conference?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

Any propaganda against the success of the Disarmament Conference is a matter to be dealt with not by the League of Nations as such, but by the Governments which intend to participate in the Conference, and by the various organisations and individuals in the respective countries, who desire its success.

Mr. MANDER

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise the danger of armament interests undertaking propaganda definitely against the Conference?

Mr. HENDERSON

If there were such an influence operating as the hon. Member suggests, I think that it would be a danger.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Has the right hon. Gentleman any evidence that there is such propaganda?

Mr. HENDERSON

There again I do not know to what the hon. Member refers.

Mr. WILLIAMS

The question of course.