Despatch from Patrick McGilligan to J.H. Thomas (London)
(L.N. 117) (No. 71) (Secret) (Copy)

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to your Secret Circular Telegram B. No. 8 of the 9th February last on the subject of the measures taken by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with a view to preparing for the General Disarmament Conference which has been fixed to meet in February, 1932.

2. His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have given earnest consideration to the question of the preparation for the Conference so far as this country is concerned. The object which they have principally in view in considering this question was to devise such an organisation as would on the one hand ensure an effective co-ordination of the work of the various Government Departments concerned in the preparation for the Conference and as would on the other hand place the co-ordinated work of the Departments under the direction of a small Committee which might keep the Government constantly and directly advised on questions of policy according as they arose. In considering the contemplated arrangements, it was the special concern of His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State to provide machinery whereby close co-operation in connection with the preparatory work for the Conference might be maintained with other Governments and with the Secretary-General of the League of Nations.

3. In conformity with these objects His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have decided to entrust the work of preparation for the Conference to a Committee of the Executive Council, consisting of the President and Vice-President of the Executive Council, the Minister for External Affairs and the Minister for Defence. This Cabinet Committee will direct the technical work of preparation for the Conference, which will be carried on by an Inter-Departmental Committee consisting of representatives of the various Government Departments concerned, and will submit final proposals to the Executive Council as to the general policy to be followed.

4. It is the earnest desire of His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State that there should be the fullest possible measure of co-operation and consultation prior to the Conference between the organs responsible for its preparation in this country and in the United Kingdom. His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State consider that this co-operation might satisfactorily be maintained through the existing channels of communication between the two Governments. With this object in view, the High Commissioner of the Irish Free State in London will be kept regularly informed as to the progress of the work in connection with the preparation for the General Disarmament Conference in this country.

5. I may add that, in view of the questions relating to the preparation for the General Disarmament Conference which are on the agenda of the forthcoming session of the Council of the League of Nations, it has been decided that the commencement of the work of preparing for the Conference in this country shall be postponed until after the forthcoming session of the League Council.