§ 45. Sir HERBERT SAMUELasked the Prime Minister, with reference to the announcement of the First Lord of the Admiralty, on 25th June, that Germany is prepared to adhere to the rules in Part IV of the London Naval Treaty relating to the sinking or disablement of merchant vessels by submarines, whether His Majesty's Government would favour an extension of those rules to similar action by sea-planes and other aircraft?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty' Government favour the application of rules similar to those in Part IV of the London Naval Treaty to aircraft operating against merchant vessels.
§ Sir H. SAMUELWill steps be taken, in any future negotiations with other powers, to press that matter forward?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no doubt those points will arise.
§ Mr. COCKSIs it not better to abolish these instruments altogether than to wait until after war has been declared, when you never can tell how they are going to be used?