§ 26. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the conditions attached by Italy to her acceptance of the arms embargo to Bolivia and Paraguay; whether these include a freedom to complete present contracts; and, if so, what period these contracts cover?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Eden)I understand that the Italian Government have made their acceptance of the contemplated measure conditional upon its acceptance by a number of other specified Governments. As the Italian list included the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Japan, invitations were duly transmitted by the League Committee of Three to the Governments of these two countries to participate also. The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have announced their agreement: the position as regards Japan is as stated in the answer given to the hon. Member on 19th June. The Italian Government have also stipulated that current contracts shall be exempted from the proposed embargo. This difficulty has not yet been overcome, though the League Committee of Three have recommended 962 that, if such a reservation is to be made, a definite and very brief time-limit should be laid down during which it is operative. I have no information as to the duration of existing Italian contracts.
§ Mr. MANDERIs there any foundation for the statement that it will cover something like 10 years?