HC Deb 09 April 1934 vol 288 cc3-4
5. Brigadier-General SPEARS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make a statement as to what action, in view of the projected increase in German expenditure on armaments,

a breach of the Treaty of Versailles?

4. Brigadier-General SPEARS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the large increase in the German armaments budget; and whether he intends to take any action to prevent violation by Germany of the Treaty of Versailles, particularly in regard to expenditure by Germany on military air forces?

Sir J. SIMON

The German naval, military and air estimates for 1934 were published in the official "Reichsgesetzblatt" of the 26th March. They reveal the following increases as compared with the 1933 expenditure:

and particularly on air armaments, the Government intend to take to avoid a breakdown of the Disarmament Conference?

Sir J. SIMON

The Lord Privy Seal is attending the meeting of the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference at Geneva to-morrow and any statement on this subject must necessarily await the outcome of this meeting.