§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any settlement had yet been reached in the matter of the recent importation of arms into Austria?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Italian Ambassador saw me yesterday about the arms recently sent from an Italian consignor to two Austrian factories, and informed me that the Italian Government for their part were prepared to agree that the arms in question, which were sent to Austria for the purpose of being reconditioned, should be sent back to Italy as soon as possible, after fulfilment of the contract for reconditioning. The Ambassador informed me that some of the arms have already been sent back to Italy. It is understood that the return of the remainder would be evidenced in due course by the customs certificates of the Austrian authorities. His Majesty's Government for their part hope that the 1599 question could be considered closed by the general acceptance of this proposal.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWould the right hon. Gentleman be willing to publish the statement that has been sent to the Austrian Government by the French?
§ Sir J. SIMONThere have been a number of communications. I could not give an answer in reply to a supplementary question.