HC Deb 30 May 1932 vol 266 cc815-6
33. Mr. PARKINSON

(for Mr. RHYS DAVIES) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is satisfied that, apart from the question submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice, the terms of the Memel Convention are now being observed; whether the recommendation of the League of Nation's Council on 20th February that a directorate should at once be appointed, possessing the confidence of the chamber of representatives, in conformity with the provisions of the convention has been carried out; whether the régime of martial law will now be withdrawn; and whether the rifle organisation created by the Lithuanian Government has been disbanded?

Mr. EDEN

As the hon. Member is aware, a number of questions at issue between the Powers signatory to the Memel Convention and the Lithuanian Government with regard to the interpretation of the Memel Statute have already been submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice for decision. There are, however, certain other matters relating to Memel which have been under discussion between these Governments and which are not yet finally settled. As regards the appointment of a new Directorate, the position is that M. Gylys, the Governor, has arrived at Memel and is engaged in negotiations for the formation of a Directorate. As regards the third part of the question, my right hon. Friend has received no information of any change. The last part of the question refers, presumably, to the "Sauliu Sajunga," the Lithuanian National Defence Corps. My right hon. Friend has no information that the disbandment of this volunteer force, which exists throughout Lithuania, has ever been under consideration.