HC Deb 18 March 1935 vol 299 cc803-4
11. Mr. JOHN WILMOT

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the air committee set up by the Disarmament Conference last met; and what steps have been taken by the Government to expedite further meetings of this committee?

Mr. EDEN

On the 20th November last the Chairman of the Committee (which last met on the 17th March, 1933) stated that it had been impossible for him to reconvene the Committee with any conviction that it could do any useful work at present. It will be appreciated that progress in this Committee must depend on the participation of all the Great Powers concerned, and His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to create conditions in which the Committee can usefully resume its meetings.

Mr. WILMOT

In view of the vital importance of this phase of disarmament, will the Government take some fresh initiative to secure an early meeting of the Committee?

Mr. EDEN

It is no use the Committee meeting if the Committee cannot do useful work. We are seeking to make the necessary international arrangements to enable the Committee to meet usefully.