§ 2. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the 1106 proposed international embargo on the export of arms to Bolivia and Paraguay applies to the same categories of items as those in the list for which licences are required for export from this country; if not, what are, the differences; and whether it is proposed to extend the embargo to apply to the enlistment of personnel of all countries concerned in the armed forces of Bolivia and Paraguay in any capacity?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe proposed international embargo on the export of arms to Bolivia and Paraguay covers arms, war material, aeroplanes, aeroplane motors, separate parts thereof, and munitions. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will interpret this for their part as imposing upon them the obligation to prevent the supply to the belligerents of the articles enumerated in the Arms Export Prohibition Order of 1931, which was recently republished on pages 526 and 527 of the Board of Trade Journal of the 5th April, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards the second part of this question, the hon. Member will be aware that the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1870 makes it an offence for any British subject without the licence of His Majesty to accept or agree to accept any commission or engagement in the military or naval service of any foreign State at war with any foreign State at peace with this country. I might add that a British subject was, within the last few days, refused a passport for the purpose of leaving this country with a view to joining the forces of one of the belligerents.
§ Mr. MANDERIs my right hon. Friend aware that Russians, for example, are being enlisted in the Paraguayan Army, and does he not think it desirable that there should be a common understanding that no foreigners should be allowed to enlist if a joint agreement is come to with regard to arms?
§ Sir J. SIMONHis Majesty's Government are able to administer the Foreign Enlistment Act, but they cannot undertake to administer the affairs of Russia.
§ Mr. MANDERAre not the Government at present negotiating with Russia, in common with other countries, to prevent the export of arms, and am I not merely suggesting the addition of men to arms?