§ 4. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government expect their survey of questions relating to the bombing of civilian populations to be completed before September next, with a view to making an attempt at the September meeting of the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference to secure by international agreement a measure of air disarmament and the limitation of the air bombing of civilian populations?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)Every effort is being made by His Majesty's Government to complete their survey of this very complex question, but I am not at present in a position to add anything to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 4th July.
§ Mr. HendersonDoes the Prime Minister expect to be in a position to make a statement before the House rises for the summer vacation?
§ The Prime MinisterI am doubtful about that.
§ Miss WilkinsonWould it not be better to make every effort to stop bombing instead of surveying the number of people who are murdered in this way?
§ Sir Archibald SinclairIs it not very astonishing that the Government authorised the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make that very definite statement about their intentions and that they are still, in July, unable to say what their policy is in regard to the survey of aerial bombardment?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not a question of policy but of finding practical means of abolishing it.