HC Deb 04 February 1932 vol 261 cc249-50
46. Mr. MANDER

asked the Prime Minister whether Viscount Cecil has been invited to form part of the British delegation to the Disarmament Conference?

Mr. BALDWIN

Yes, Sir. Lord Cecil was invited to accept the post of a substitute delegate in the United Kingdom delegation to the Disarmament Conference.

Mr. MANDER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Lord Cecil accepted the invitation?

Mr. BALDWIN

No, Sir, he did not.

Mr. MANDER

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether matters of policy were the reason for Lord Cecil's non-acceptance?

Mr. BALDWIN

I understand the reason was that he decided he could do more useful work outside.

Mr. MANDER

I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

85. Colonel GRETTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which Members of the Government will attend the Conference on Disarmament at Geneva; what is the number of officials and experts who will be in attendance with them; and what will be the number of secretaries and typists?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)

The delegates to the conference are:

  • Prime Minister, the right hon. J. Ramsay MacDonald, M.P.
  • Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the right hon. Sir John Simon, G.C.S.I., K.C.V.O., O.B.E., K.C., M.P.
  • Secretary of State for the Dominions, the right hon. J. H. Thomas, M.P.
  • Secretary of State for War, the right hon. the Viscount Hailsham.
  • Secretary of State for Air, the Most Hon. the Marquess of Londonderry, K.G., M.V.O.
  • First Lord of the Admiralty, the right hon. Sir Bolton M. Eyres Monsell, G.B.E., M.P.
  • Mrs. M. Corbett Ashby (substitute delegate).
The individual delegates and the substitute delegate will be present at Geneva as circumstances require.

The staff will consist of:

  • 1 secretary-general.
  • 30 experts and other officials, including private secretaries.
  • 19 clerks and typists.
  • 5 messengers.
The numbers will vary from time to time as experts and other officials whose presence is unnecessary for particular phases of the work of the conference will be sent home when the length of the period, during which they are not required renders it more economical to adopt that course than to maintain them at Geneva.

Mr. HANNON

Will the hon. Gentleman indicate to the House what are the special functions of the substitute delegate at Geneva on this occasion?

Mr. EDEN

To act as substitute to the other delegates when they cannot be there.

Sir A. KNOX

Does not this delegation cost as much as a small war?

Mr. EDEN

There is another question on that subject.

Mr. GEORGE BALFOUR

What is the definition of an expert in disarmament?