HC Deb 21 December 1934 vol 296 cc1525-7
12. Mr. DOBBIE

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now state the terms of reference of the proposed British arms inquiry; and whether he will give an assurance that no one with vested interest in the arms industry shall be a member?

The PRIME MINISTER

I can say that the proposed inquiry will be undertaken by a Royal Commission; otherwise, I cannot yet add to what I said in reply to supplementary questions on this subject arising out of Questions addressed to me on Monday last.

Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

As the House will be separating for several weeks, and as this announcement will presumably be made when the House is in Recess, and when we shall not be able to comment upon it, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he is able to assure us that the powers of this Commission will be adequate and will include powers to compel the attendance of witnesses and to take evidence on oath and for discovery of documents; and also that the terms of reference will be wide enough to implement the speech of the Secretary of State for the Dominions to the effect that the whole question of the private manufacture of arms would be inquired into?

The PRIME MINISTER

So far as the terms of reference are concerned, I am working on the declaration made to the House by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 22nd November and accepted by the House. As to the other parts of my right hon. Friend's question, they have all been covered by what I said last Monday.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

But the Prime Minister has not answered on the questions of powers. As regards the terms of reference, surely the Prime Minister does not suggest that there is any difference of opinion between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for the Dominions as to the importance of inquiring into the whole question.

The PRIME MINISTER

I am sure there is no difference of opinion between my two right hon. Friends. The text that I am going upon is the text produced to the House and accepted by the House at the time. I have announced that this is a Royal Commission and my right hon. Friend is not unaware of the significance of that.

Mr. DOBBIE

Would the Prime Minister be good enough to give an answer to the latter part of my question?

The PRIME MINISTER

I thought I had done so. Certainly.

Mr. THORNE

Does not the Prime Minister know that these Royal Commissions take a long time, and does he think that this Commission will be able to receive the evidence and make a Report before the dissolution of this Parliament?

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Will the Commission have power to send for those people who are constantly sowing the seeds of suspicion in this country and asking them to justify their suspicions?

The PRIME MINISTER

Certainly.