§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the present position of the Disarmament Conference?
§ Sir J. SIMONYes, Sir. The General Commission of the Disarmament Conference yesterday adopted by a unanimous vote a resolution proposed by Monsieur Benes, the Rapporteur-General of the Conference, deciding to take the Draft Convention submitted by the United Kingdom Delegation as a basis for its subsequent discussions, the delegations retaining the right to propose modifications, amendments, or additions. The Conference then adjourned until Tuesday, 25th April, when it will proceed to the examination of the British Draft Convention, chapter by chapter and article by article. I would like to add that this 844 British initiative, which involves the pursuit of a new method—the placing before the Conference of a comprehensive scheme in Convention form so that each question may be studied in relation to other necessary questions—has been received with general satisfaction as giving the best prospect for reaching an agreed solution.