§ 32. Mr. COCKSasked the Prime Minister whether he can give the date or 2461 dates on which a three-party conference on disarmament in 1931 was held; on whose initiative was it called; who were present at its meetings; what was its object; was any statement issued at the time as to its meeting and, were any conclusions reached; and, if so, can he state what they were?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)The Three Party Committee on Disarmament was set up in March, 1931, on the initiation of the Prime Minister of the day; it was composed of members of all three parties. Its inception was due to the proposal to hold the Disarmament Conference and because the question of disarmament was considered to be one of national importance. The committee held a number of meetings early in the year, but no statement was made in regard to its meetings and I regret that I can give no information as to any conclusions reached, since, by general agreement, they were confidential.