BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

HOUSE OF COMMONS REPLIES TO QUESTIONS NAVAL MATTERS (British Official VVireloßs) RUGBY, 17th July. Tho First Lord of tlie Admiralty, Mr Alexander, stated in the House of Commons to-day that tho Prime Minister intended to make a pronouncement in Parliament upon the whole question of naval armament before tlie summer recess. Lieut.-Commander Kenwortliy asked what was tho position with regard to tlie British proposal, now supported by the American Government, for the illegalising of the submarine by mutual agreement, and whether the First Lord 'was considering a renewal of this proposal at the next conference on naval armaments. Mr Alexander replied that the declaration of tiie British Empire delegation remained tlie opinion ot the Government, but until other nations acceded to this opinion no agreement was possible. Tho possibility of reaching aa agreement on this matter was constantly borne in mind by the Government and a restatement of tho British Government’s opinion would bo made at tho first available moment. Answering another question, Mr Alexander sivd no decision could yet be communicated regarding further construction of battleships. The base at Singapore and a number of important and difficult matters concerning oilier departments had to be considered, and no decision could be taken without consultation. He would not say if a decision could bo reached before the summer recess. The Foreign Secretary was asked whether he would, in accordance with Article XI of Covenant of tho League of Nations, use his position as a member of tho Council to get a conference of the Balkan nations with a view to a settlement of major outstanding problems between those nations. Mr Henderson replied that regarding recent tension along tho Jugoslav-Bul-gariau frontier, he preferred to assume for the present that tlie two Governments concerned would be able to remove it by direct negotiations without the intervention of tlie League. Replying to another question, Mr Henderson said lie was prepared to restore the practice of 1924 and place on the table of the House of Commons all treaties with foreign Governments prior to ratification.