The British Government is not prepared to limit the activities of its air force except as part of an international agreement.
This statement was made in the House of Commons to-day by the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in reply to a question when ther he would give an assurance, as an example to other nations, that the British Government would prohibit the use of bombing aeroplanes for police purposes in any territory under British control The Government, the Prime Minis-ler added, would be fully prepared lo give such an assurance in conjunction with other countries if a suitable agreement were possible.
Mr. Anthony Eden, the Foreign Secretary. was then questioned on the bombing of civilians both in the present civil war in Spain and as the subject of a general international agreement.
Mr. Eden recalled his statement on February 2 in which he intimated that the subject of an international agreement on the bombing of civilian populations was being considered shy the competent departments with the express intention of re-opening the question with other Powers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.