§ 18. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the declaration of the German Foreign Minister that, whatever the result of the Disarmament Conference, Germany intends to re-arm, thereby breaking the terms of the Treaty of Versailles; and whether he can make a statement as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government on this matter?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have seen the article to which the hon. Member refers. I can make no further statement pending the resumption of the General Commission of the Disarmament Conference on Thursday.
§ Mr. COCKSMay we take it that the statement made in another place represents the views of the Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think I have already completely answered the question.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESMay we have a definite answer? Does the statement made in another place convey the attitude of the whole Government and the Cabinet?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have no reason to hesitate to answer the question, but I should prefer to have it on the Paper in the ordinary way.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman consider, among the various steps that could be taken, the possibility of re-summoning the Supreme Council of the Allied and Associated Powers with a view to obtaining security for the future?
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to make any statement in reference to the Disarmament Conference?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe right hon. Gentleman is aware that a meeting of the General Commission, which was to have been held to-day, has been postponed by the direction of the President, Mr. Henderson, until Thursday, owing to the recall of the German delegate to Berlin and the meeting of the Reichstag on Wednesday. In these circumstances, I prefer to make no statement at the present juncture.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman take the earliest opportunity of making a statement in this House in connection with any new departure in regard to policy at the Disarmament Conference, rather than allow the Press to contain all kinds of garbled reports on the subject?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think that His Majesty's Government throughout have done their best to keep the House informed as to matters of fact. I cannot, of course, be responsible for anticipations elsewhere.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe point I wish to press is that if a question is put to him on Thursday, will he make as full a statement on the situation as is possible to be made? I am not asking that he shall make any statement which he considers would be impolitic, but as clear a statement as is possible so that alarmist rumours will not be spread abroad as they are being spread just now?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am sure that responsible persons in all quarters of the House will want to discourage alarmist rumours. I cannot give an undertaking as to the statement I will make on Thursday, but I willingly agree that if the situation is one which calls for a statement, a statement will certainly be made.