HC Deb 15 November 1933 vol 281 c900
10. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the decision reached by the Government and conveyed to the German Government as a result of the proposals made to him by Prince Bismarck on the subject of disarmament on 6th October?

Sir J. SIMON

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply returned by the Prime Minister on the 13th November to a Private Notice Question put by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. MANDER

In view of the fact that the verbal statement made by Prince Bismarck has been published and is known to the world, is it not desirable that the people of this country should know what is the decision of the Government on Prince Bismarck's proposals?

Sir J. SIMON

I must point out that, while everybody must judge for himself, the hon. Member was informed by the Prime Minister that in the wider interests of the constructive work of the Conference, it would be better not to take this course, if it could be avoided. The hon. Member takes a different view. Perhaps he will realise that that is the view taken by the head of His Majesty's Government.

11. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the effect of the British draft agreement would be, at the end of the disarmament period, to permit Germany to equip her self with tanks, heavy mobile artillery, and other armaments now forbidden to her by the Treaty of Versailles?

Sir J. SIMON

I would refer my hon. Friend to the text of the Draft Disarmament Convention issued as Command Paper No. 4279.