§ 24. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken to bring into the League of Nations those countries which are not now members of the League in a new effort to provide security and the possibility of a collective peace agreement for all nations: and whether His Majesty's Government is disposed to take the initiative to convene a world conference to save the League and to rally the forces of peace?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)As regards the first part of the question, the hon. Member will appreciate that countries which are not members of the League can only become such because they seek membership. In answer to the second part of the question, the view of His Majesty's Government is that the best method of strengthening the League in present circumstances would be the achievement of international agreement about armaments, and to that object the strenuous efforts of His Majesty's Government are being devoted.
§ Mr. GRENFELLWould it be possible for an invitation to be given in an indirect way, or for His Majesty's Government to express grave concern at the position of the Loague and to declare their desire that other countries—Russia and the United States, for example—might come to an agreement?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs regards the Soviet Union, I answered a question on the matter on a previous occasion, and referred the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on the 5th March.