AIR DISARMAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 261, 3 November 1932, Page 7

AIR DISARMAMENT.

BRITAIN AND ABOLITION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, November 2. In view of the reassembly of the Bureau of Disafmament Conference the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, was asked in the House of Commons for an assurance that the Government would not commit itself to any such, proposals, ae those being advanced for the total abolition of military and naval aviation, coupled with the international control of civil aviation, and for the abolition of warships over 10,000 tons without first affording Parliament an opportunity for discussion. Hβ said it was not intended to make any departure from the normal practice when Governments engaged in important negotiations. Replying to a question in which reference was made in particular to Article 16 of the League Covenant and the Government's attitude towards the Protocol, the Prime Minister assured the House that the Government would not involve the country in further naval or military commitments in Europe without the consent of the House. When asked for a specific declaration that nothing would be designed for the abolition of the Air Force without the permission of the House, the Prime Minister said the Government must have complete freedom in negotiation which, however, would be conducted with the full knowledge of the House with whom final consent remained.