HC Deb 19 February 1934 vol 286 cc7-10
11. Major PROCTER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Trades Union Council is inviting subscriptions to a fund to help one section of the Austrian people to fight another section; and, seeing that this action may be regarded as an interference in the affairs of a friendly nation, if he will make a communication to the Austrian Government that this action by the Trades Union Council is not approved by His Majesty's Government?

Sir J. SIMON

I have no information regarding the fund referred to except what has appeared in the Press, and I do not think that it is necessary for me to take any action on the lines suggested in the last part of the question.

Major PROCTER

Does not the Foreign Secretary think that such money should be kept within the country and used for our own unemployed?

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Trades Union Congress has helped many deserving objects, including the Indian Earthquake Fund?

Mr. REMER

Are the principles of the Trades Union Congress peace at home and war abroad?

Mr. HANNON

Would it not be better if a question of this kind were kept off the Order Paper until the condition of Austria was settled?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

On that point of Order——

Mr. SPEAKER

It is a matter for me to decide.

12. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any fresh information to give to the House about the situation in Austria?

Sir J. SIMON

There are two matters which I should briefly report to the House, though both of them are made public in to-day's Press.

First, on Saturday last, the 17th February, His Majesty's Government, together with the French and Italian Governments, agreed to the issue of a joint communiqué, the text of which is as follows: The Austrian Government has inquired of the Governments of France, Great Britain and Italy as to their attitude with regard to the dossier which it has prepared with a view to establishing German interference in the internal affairs of Austria and which it has communicated to them. The conversations which have taken place between the three Governments on this subject have shown that they take a common view as to the necessity of maintaining Austria's independence and integrity in accordance with the relevant treaties. Secondly, the British Minister at Vienna, on my instructions, has been expressing to the Austrian Government our earnest hope that a policy of clemency and appeasement will be followed with reference to the recent grave disturbances.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Was this agreement between the British Government and the Governments of Italy and France as to supporting Austria come to before the Austrian Government perpetrated these massacres, or afterwards?

Sir J. SIMON

If my right hon. and gallant Friend's question is simply as to date, I would remind him that I had already announced to the House the view of His Majesty's Government on an earlier occasion—I think on the 13th February.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

That was before the massacres took place. What I wish to inquire is whether the view of His Majesty's Government as to the necessity of supporting Austrian independence has not been modified by the example of the way in which the Austrian Government proposes to treat the working-classes in Austria?

Sir J. SIMON

I think my right hon. and gallant Friend will see that the broad consideration whether the peace of Europe is best secured by the disturbance of Austria or not can hardly be said to have changed because of the conditions of which he speaks.

Mr. ATTLEE

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to the Austrian Government that the continuance of the political and financial support given to Austria in the past will be contingent on the proper treatment of the working-classes in that country?

Sir J. SIMON

I think the hon. Gentleman really ought to recognise the fact of which I have just informed the House, and which I think he already knew, namely, that His Majesty's Government have been making representations as to clemency and appeasement in the present situation.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is not the preservation of liberty in Europe as important as the independence of Austria?

16. Mr. D. GRENFELL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the nature of the obligations towards the League of Nations assumed by Austria in recognition of the financial assistance extended to her under the auspices of the League?

Sir J. SIMON

By the Protocol of 3rd October 1922, Austria undertakes, in accordance with the terms of Article 88 of the Treaty of St. Germaine, not to alienate its independence and to abstain from any negotiations or from any economic or financial engagement calculated directly or indirectly to compromise this independence.

Mr. GRENFELL

Is not the Austrian Government also under an obligation not to alienate the independence and the liberties of her own people?