– in the House of Commons at on 17 April 1929.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Hackney South
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he contemplates the initiation of conversations with the Governments of the United States of America and Japan on the subject of maritime law?
Mr Austen Chamberlain
, Birmingham West
I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject at the present time. I cannot say what course it may be desirable to take at a future time, but His Majesty's Government have no present intention of initiating such a tripartite conversation.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Hackney South
Can the right hon. Gentleman say that he recognises that uncertainty in regard to maritime law is a major obstacle in the way of disarmament, and does he recognise, therefore, some urgency for the need of clarifying maritime law?
Mr Austen Chamberlain
, Birmingham West
No, Sir. I do not think that I can accept the hypothesis of the hon. and gallant Member. I recognise the importance of doing anything to forward the limitation of armaments, but I am not sure that what the hon. Member suggests is a major obstacle in our path.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
