§ 4. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the decision of the German Government to order two armed police aeroplanes contrary to the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles; and what steps he is taking to make it clear that no rearmament of Germany by unilateral action in a breach of treaty will under any circumstances be permitted?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have no confirmation of the report to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards rearmament of Germany by unilateral action, the views of His Majesty's Government are contained in the statement communicated to the German Government and published in the newspapers of the 19th September, 1932.
§ Mr. MANDERHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement in the Press to-day that Mannheim is to be the first town to have these armed police aeroplanes, and will he make inquiries through his representatives in Germany?
§ Sir J, SIMONI cannot assume, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, that everything which he or I read in any newspaper is necessarily proved to be correct, but I am, of course, making inquiries.
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDHow does the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) who asks these questions, expect to carry out the conditional clauses of the Treaty of Versailles if his other policy is carried out of reducing British naval, military and air forces to a sixth Power standard?