HC Deb 15 November 1932 vol 270 cc945-7
70. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who was the representative of the United Kingdom on the committee for the regulation of the trade in and State manufacture of arms and implements of war; whether any change has been made recently; and on what questions of prin- ciple the general commission of the conference has to reach a decision before the sub-committee can continue its work?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving me this opportunity to clear up a misapprehension which arose from the reply of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to a Supplementary Question last week. My right hon. Friend had in mind the fact that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was at the moment the acting head of the United Kingdom Delegation at Geneva. On the Committee for the Trade in and Manufacture of Arms the representative of His Majesty's Government was, and is, Mr. Carr, an official of the Foreign Office. The matters of principle referred to in the last part of the Question are, firstly, the direct limitation and control of stocks of war material, which is closely bound up with the limitation and control of manufacture, and, secondly, the powers of supervision and inspection to be accorded to the Permament Disarmament Commission.

Mr. WILLIAMS

While thanking the right hon Gentleman for clearing up the misapprehension of last week, may I ask him whether any different instructions have been given to Mr. Carr, this country's representative, who has opposed any interference with the private manufacture of armaments?

The PRIME MINISTER

Not to the best of my belief.

Mr. WILLIAMS

In view of the fact that this committee has adjourned sine die, may I ask whether the representative from this country is going to revive the committee, which appears to be the only hope that anything will be done with regard to the private manufacture of armaments?

The PRIME MINISTER

No; I think that the hon. Member himself is now misinformed. The report of this committee has to be presented to the Bureau, and it may be even to the General Commission. There can be no reviving of the committee unless the report is referred back to it. In that event, of course, the whole thing would be reconsidered.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this committee has adjourned sine die; and can he give us any idea when it is likely to be revived?

The PRIME MINISTER

It has completed its report and adjourned sine die. The report will go to the Bureau, and, if the Bureau or the General Commission decides to send back the report to the committee, the committee will be revived.