§ 3. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the resolution before the United States Senate proposing to authorise the President to make an international agreement for an embargo on arms and munitions of war, His 978 Majesty's Government are willing to state their readiness to co-operate in such action?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)On the initiative of His Majesty's Government an exchange of views has taken place between the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Italy with a view to an agreement between them to prohibit the export of arms and munitions of war to Bolivia and Paraguay, in anticipation of any prohibition of a more general character that may be arranged through the agency of the League of Nations. Efforts to bring about early action by international agreement are being continued, but have not yet succeeded.
The purpose of the resolution mentioned by the hon. Member is to empower the President of the United States to proclaim illegal the export of arms to such countries as he may designate after securing the co-operation of such other countries as he may consider necessary. While the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate have reported favourably on this proposal, the resolution has not yet been adopted by the Senate.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDo we understand that His Majesty's Government would be willing to co-operate with the United States Government to extend the suggested limitation and restriction beyond Paraguay and Bolivia?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs I have already said, His Majesty's Government took the initiative in this matter and made communications to the other Governments. I think the Bolivia and Paraguay case is a very good case to take, and, if we could establish an arrangement about that, I should have hopes that it would spread.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of extending this very wise provision to apply to the case of Japan and China?