HC Deb 31 October 1934 vol 293 cc177-9
1. Mr. MANDER

asked the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the agreement for a general embargo on the export of arms to Bolivia and Paraguay and with regard to the dispute generally?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

It is now possible to say that the international agreement to prevent the supply of arms to Bolivia and Paraguay, which was initiated and pressed by His Majesty's Government, has at last been put into operation. All the arms manufacturing countries approached by the League Committee, who had previously announced their acceptance in principle of the proposed embargo, have stated that they took the necessary measures before the end of September, without any reservations as regards the execution of current contracts. As regards the dispute itself, I regret that all attempts to bring about a peaceful settlement have so far failed. At the request of the Bolivian Government, the dispute has been referred to the Assembly of the League of Nations, under the terms of Article 15 of the Covenant, and on the 27th September the Assembly appointed a Committee to prepare the report contemplated under the terms of paragraph 4 of that Article, which it is proposed should be submitted to the Assembly at a special session of the latter on the 20th November. In the meantime efforts to obtain a settlement by conciliation are being continued under the auspices of this Committee.

Mr. MANDER

Am I to understand from that very satisfactory statement that no arms are now reaching either of the two combatants?

Sir J. SIMON

I would gladly supplement the information if I could, but I think that, if my hon. Friend will study the answer that I have given, he will get all the information he desires.

Mr. MABANE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any substantial manufacture of arms within the limits of these two countries?

Sir J. SIMON

No, Sir, there is not.

Sir JOSEPH NALL

Are these two countries members of the League, and will they continue to attend the Assembly and sit with other countries?

Sir J. SIMON

Yes. Bolivia and Paraguay are members of the League.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Are we to understand that the whole credit of this is really due to the British Government?

Captain PETER MACDONALD

Is it not a fact that, although these countries are members of the League, neither of them has contributed towards the cost of the League throughout the whole of its existence?

Sir J. SIMON

That is another question. I should not like to make any statement without examining the accounts.