HC Deb 20 July 1931 vol 255 cc1067-8W
Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Governments have ratified the Arms Traffic Convention; and what further ratifications are necessary to bring it into force?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day). No further ratifications have taken place since that date. In view of the fact that a number of the ratifications already given are conditional, it is not possible to say how many further ratifications are required in order to bring the Convention into force.

Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of the supervision of the private manufacture of arms and ammunition will receive consideration at the Disarmament Conference or is to be postponed until afterwards?

Mr. HENDERSON

It was decided at the last meeting of the Council of the League of Nations to request the President of the Special Commission, which is studying the question of the Private Manufacture of Arms, to postpone its next meeting until the General Disarmament Conference has come to a decision on the question of publicity.