§ 45. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to give a definite undertaking that the British representatives at the Disarmament Conference shall not pledge this country to any scheme of controlling internationally civil aviation which might impede the free development of air transport to or from Great Britain and any part of the Empire, or which might in any way prevent the free play of British invention and organisation in this respect?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)I cannot say more than I said in reply to questions on this subject on the 2nd November. It is not in. tended to make any departure from the normal practice when Governments are engaged in important negotiations.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the Prime Minister aware that he will have behind him the overwhelming majority of the House in support of the policy expressed by the Lord President of the Council on this subject in his speech the other night?
§ Mr. RHYS (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the new French Disarmament Plans, he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not assent to any proposal which can involve Great Britain in any naval, military, or air operations without her consent.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have already given this afternoon.
§ Mr. RHYSI do not desire to embarrass the Prime Minister in the least, but most of the answers given on this subject deal with ratification in this House. I would only beg the Prime Minister, with all the earnestness in my power, to hear in mind the great hope that there is that the Government will not pursue this policy at Geneva and ask this House then to ratify it.