§ 39 and 40. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he will arrange for the publication of the United States Government's proposal with regard to the private manufacture of arms put forward on 19th June at Geneva for the information of public opinion:
(2) whether the proposals made on 27th February, 1933, at the Disarmament Conference by the Governments of Denmark, France, Poland and Spain for the nationalisation of arms manufacture are still before the Conference; and what is the attitude of the British Government towards the proposals?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Eden)The proposal made in February, 1933, by the Governments of Denmark, France, Poland and Spain, for the nationalisation of arms manufacture, was annexed to the report of the Committee on the Trade in, and Manufacture of Arms, which was considered by the General Commission of the Conference on the 6th and 7th June of last year. As a result of the discussion, it was left to the President of the Conference to carry on negotiations with delegations having proposals to offer in respect of the stringent regulation of the trade in and manufacture of arms, with a view to the inclusion of a text in 1743 the Draft Convention before the second reading.
On the 29th May last in the General Commission the United States delegate made an important reference to the manufacture of and trade in arms. The General Commission accordingly asked its special committee on this subject to resume its work forthwith in the light of Mr. Norman Davis' statement. I am glad to say that, as the result of conversations between representatives of the countries which are principally concerned with this question, at which certain suggestions were made by the United States and other representatives, a report was submitted to the Committee on the Manufacture of and Trade in Arms. This report was adopted yesterday. My right hon. Friend has not yet received the complete final text, but a summary of it has appeared in the Press. If the committee has taken no decision as to publication, it is for the President of the Conference to decide whether or not the complete text of this report shall be published. I should like to take this opportunity to say that the report will receive the most careful consideration by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the Lord Privy Seal say whether the British Government have assented to the agreement?