– in the House of Commons at on 12 May 1924.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities for discussion of the Motion on a further conference of the Washington Treaty Powers in the names of the hon. Members for Central Hull and North Hackney?—["That this House is of opinion that the time has come for proposals to be made by His Majesty's Government to the Powers concerned for the calling of a conference to consider the further limitation of Naval armaments, especially in those types of vessels, including surface and submarine craft of 10,000 tons displacement and less and aircraft, which are outside the scope of the Washington Agreement."]
I regret that, owing to the state of Parliamentary business, the Government cannot see their way to find time for the discussion of this Motion, but as the Prime Minister has already indicated, a discussion on this matter could be raised on the Estimates. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Government needs no prompting on this matter.
But is not my right hon. Friend aware that the Prime Minister has stated in this House that he would welcome such a Resolution, and is he aware that such a Resolution cannot be brought in in Committee of Supply?
I can conceive of much good being done by discussion without the instrument of a Resolution, and I do not think the Prime Minister used the words in the sense mentioned by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.