39. Mr. V. ADAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the British Government's proposal to impose a general embargo upon the export of arms and munitions to the belligerents in the Gran Chaco dispute has fared; and whether, to sustain British integrity, he will independently withhold further licences for the export of armaments to Bolivia or to Paraguay?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have informed the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that they continue prepared to agree to prohibit the export of war material to Bolivia and Paraguay on the lines proposed by them and approved last year. The Governments of 20 other countries have also announced that they agree in principle to the proposal to impose this embargo. As regards the second part of this question, I am not aware that any licences have recently been granted, but the final action of His Majesty's Government must depend on the decision on the proposal of His Majesty's Government to be taken at the present meeting of the Council of the League.
Mr. ADAMSWhile thanking the Prime Minister for his reply and venturing to congratulate the Government upon their splendid initiative, may I ask whether there are not certain conditions which would justify us in taking independent action to end this terrible traffic?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can assure the hon. Gentleman that those considerations are actively in front of the mind of the Government at the moment. We wish something effective to be done.
§ Mr. COCKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the American Government are taking independent action?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware of exactly the opposite.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGDo the nations referred to in the right hon. Gentleman's reply agree with prohibition in fact as well as in principle?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have answered the question which was put to me, and the words used are "in principle."
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLWill the right hon. Gentleman take what steps lie in his power to see that armament firms do not offer the contending countries a loan with which to buy armaments for which a licence is asked; and that inducements are not given to those people to buy armaments with money which they have borrowed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps my hon. Friend will give me the information on which he bases his question, as I am not aware of the facts which he assumes are well known.
§ Mr. HARCOURT JOHNSTONEWhich are the countries which have not agreed in principle?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI know of no countries that have not agreed in principle. I believe that invitations were sent to 32 countries and, as I have said, 20 have replied up to now. That does not mean that the others do not agree.
§ Mr. MANDERHas not President Roosevelt said that he is prepared to take independent action?