HC Deb 24 February 1937 vol 320 c1975
17. Mr. George Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress is being made in the discussions of agreements on qualitative naval disarmament which are now proceeding with various countries?

Mr. Eden

Negotiations are at present taking place between His Majesty's Government and the German, Soviet, Polish, Turkish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Danish Governments for the purpose of concluding naval agreements providing for qualitative limitation on the basis of the London Naval Treaty, 1936. As regards the negotiations at present proceeding with the German and Soviet Governments, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my Noble Friend to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 17th February. The negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the other Governments concerned are similarly making satisfactory progress.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not a fact that the Government's decision to increase the Navy will give Germany the right to increase pro rata?

Mr. Eden

Perhaps the hon. Member had better put that question down.

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