§ 22. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has considered the disarmament proposals put before the Disarmament Conference on behalf of the organised bodies supporting the League of Nations by Viscount Cecil; and whether the Government has decided to support those proposals and, if not, if he will give the reasons?
§ Mr. EDENYes, Sir. The hon. Member will observe that the proposals tabled by the United Kingdom Delegation at Geneva coincide in more than one respect with the suggestions made by Lord Cecil in his speech on the 6th February, last. Any further suggestions made on behalf of these societies will continue to receive, during the discussions at Geneva, the full consideration from His Majesty's Government which they deserve, but decisions as to many issues involved in the work lying ahead of the Disarmament Conference must necessarily depend to a great extent upon the progress made at Geneva, 538 and I do not think that it would be desirable or proper at this particular moment to make any comprehensive statement as to policy in reply to a question in this House.
§ Mr. JONESCan the hon. Gentleman say when it is likely that he will be able to make that statement?
§ 23. Mr. JONESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the policy of His Majesty's Government in connection with the proposal to restrict budgetary expenditure on armaments has been in any way modified or abandoned since the statement made on behalf of the British Government by Viscount Cecil to the Preparatory Commission of the Disarmament Conference?
§ Mr. EDENThere has been no abandonment of the policy of His Majesty's Government as enunciated by Lord Cecil; but the practical means of giving effect to this form of limitation have been found not to be free of difficulties. These difficulties are engaging the close attention of His Majesty's Government.