HC Deb 14 May 1934 vol 289 cc1432-3
12. Mr. LEVY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the policy of the Government at the next meeting of the Disarmament Conference?

Sir J. SIMON

I am sure that my hon. Friend realises that this matter can hardly be dealt with within the compass of a Parliamentary question and answer.

13. Mr. BERNAYS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the reservation in respect of aerial bombing has been taken out of the Draft Convention before the Disarmament Conference?

Sir J. SIMON

Articles 34 to 41 of the Draft Convention submitted by the United Kingdom delegation to the Disarmament Conference on the 16th March, 1933, are concerned with air armaments. The Draft Convention has been adopted on first reading by the Conference as a whole as a basis and framework, but these articles have not been further considered in detail by the Conference.

Mr. BERNAYS

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, does he not think that it would be an impressive proof of Great Britain's determination to press for an aerial convention if this reservation were removed?

Sir J. SIMON

Frankly, I do not think that it is the existence of this reservation which creates any difficulty at all. The attitude of the British Government to the reservation in the Convention is beyond all doubt.

20. Mr. COCKS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has decided upon the policy they propose to pursue at the forthcoming meeting of the Disarmament Conference; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

Sir G. SIMON

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have just given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Elland (Mr. Levy).