§ 4. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of taking immediate steps to enter into negotiations with the Soviet Government with a view to definite arrangements being entered into between Great Britain, France, and Soviet Russia for joint action in restraint of aggression, and of associating with such arrangements Poland, Rumania, Jugoslavia, Turkey, Holland, Denmark, and other peaceful nations willing to co-operate?
§ 10. Captain Pluggeasked the Prime Minister whether he will convene in London a meeting of the representatives of all the chief democratic Powers to discuss joint action, in view of possible European developments?
§ 14. Major Stourtonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement with regard to progress made with Powers with whom His Majesty's Government have been in communication, with a view to exploring the possibilities of joint action towards checking aggression in South-Eastern Europe?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Samuel Hoare)I have been asked to reply. As the Prime Minister said in the House on 20th March, His Majesty's Government are in communication with other Governments.
§ Mr. ManderCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have under consideration the possibility of calling a special meeting of the Council of the League of Nations?
§ Sir S. HoareThe Government are considering all these possibilities, but I think the hon. Member had better wait until the Prime Minister makes a full statement.
§ Mr. ManderIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an impression has been created, for which I hope there is no foundation, that the Government intend to do very little in deeds though they may in words?
§ Sir S. HoareI am sorry that the hon. Member should make any suggestion of that kind. There is no foundation for it at all.
§ Mr. ThurtleCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government are treating this matter as one of the greatest possible urgency?
§ Sir S. HoareI should have thought that is obvious to everybody.
§ 8. Mr. Priceasked the Prime Minister whether he has considered approaching the Turkish Government with a view to an agreement for the passage of naval forces into the Black Sea in the event of a threat to the integrity and independence of Rumania?
§ Mr. ButlerAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister indicated on Monday in reply to a question by the hon. and learned Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson), the whole situation is at present under review by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. PriceWill the Government bear in mind the immense importance of the Straits in the event of a threat to the independence of Rumania?
§ Mr. ButlerI am sure that such an important question as that will be borne in mind.
§ 9. Captain Pluggeasked the Prime Minister whether the British Minister at Bucharest has reported on the alleged German demand that Rumania should become a purely agricultural country and dispose of all her products to Germany, in which case she will be allowed to retain her independence; and, if not, whether he will inquire as to what the facts are?
§ 18. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the situation in Rumania?
§ Sir S. HoareNegotiations between the Governments of Germany and Rumania on economic matters have been in progress for some time past. The Rumanian Government has officially denied that there has been any ultimatum from the German Government in the course of these negotiations. At the same time the uncertainty of the present situation has caused the Rumanian Government to take certain precautionary measures.
§ Mr. ManderAre not all these German ultimatums denied until annexation has taken place?
§ Mr. LeachHas the present temporary transference of Foreign Office questions to the Home Office any significance?
§ Sir S. HoareNone whatever.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairDoes not the denial of an ultimatum apply to the form rather than to the substance of the question of the hon. Member?
§ Sir S. HoareThe right hon. Gentleman must draw his own conclusion from my answer.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennIs it true that these negotiations have been broken off?
§ Sir S. HoareI am informed that the German Mission has returned to Berlin.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherHas the right hon. Gentleman any information to give the House as to the nature of the proposals put forward by the German Government in these trade negotiations? Were they of such a nature as to reduce Rumania to an economic colony of Germany?
§ 49. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether staff talks are yet taking place with any of the following countries with a view to coordinating defence of those countries and our own against aggression, namely: France, Russia, Denmark, Holland, Sweden, Jugoslavia, Rumania, Turkey and Greece?
§ Mr. Munro (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. On the subject of staff talks with France, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave in the course of the Debate on 21st February last. With regard to the other countries mentioned in the question, contacts are maintained through the normal channel of service attachés.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDo I understand that the change in the situation has not induced the Government to have any staff conversations with any of these countries, or is the matter still being hung up, because of the Government's inability to make up their mind?
§ 50. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will initiate staff talks, both economic and military, with the United States of America concerning the supply they can make to this country and our allies in case of war being forced upon us?
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs this also an example of the inability of the Government to face the situation? Why are no arrangements being come to with America in connection with supplies in the event of war?
§ Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make regarding the European situation?
§ Sir S. HoareI have no special statement to make on the situation in Central Europe.
As regards Memel, I understand that the Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was recently in Berlin, received while there a demand from the German Government for the immediate cession of the Memelland to the Reich, coupled with a threat that in the event of any resistance or any application for support elsewhere, the matter would no longer be dealt with diplomatically, but in a military sense. This demand amounted to an ultimatum and the Lithuanian Government were required to take a decision on it within approximately four days; but they were assured that if it were accepted no further demands would be made of them. I also understand that this demand has now been accepted, though I have not been so informed officially by the Lithuanian Government, who have made no approach to His Majesty's Government since the demand was presented to them.
§ Mr. AttleeCan the Home Secretary say when the Prime Minister will be in a position to make a fuller statement to the House?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir, I cannot give a definite answer to-day, but I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the Prime Minister is very anxious to make a statement as soon as possible.
§ Mr. AttleeWill the right hon. Gentleman realise the great anxiety there is and 1256 the need for speed in this matter, and also the importance of a statement being made in this House, and not outside this House?
§ Sir S. HoareCertainly, Sir, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend is very conscious of those two things.
§ Mr. Arthur HendersonIn view of the fact that His Majesty's Government was a signatory to the Memel Convention of 1924, may I ask whether it is proposed to take any action by way of protest or otherwise?
§ Sir S. HoareI should prefer to make no further statement to-day. I am fully aware of the statutory position of His Majesty's Government, but I think that had better await the fuller statement that the Prime Minister intends to make.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not a fact that at Munich Herr Hitler assured the Prime Minister that he had no intention of interfering in any way with the future of Memel, and is it not the case that the term "thrice perjured" is rather out of date?
§ Mr. J. MorganHas the right hon. Gentleman any information about a report that the Lithuanian Government are about to apply to Russia for protection for the remainder of their territory?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir, I have no information on the last point. As to the question asked by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), an assurance of that kind certainly was given, and that is one of the subjects which will, no doubt, come up for discussion when there is a fuller Debate.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAre we to understand that the German Government threatened Lithuania with the occupation by military force of the whole of Lithuanian territory?
§ Sir S. HoareI understand that they were informed that military action would otherwise be taken; but at the same time I would wish to say that we have no official information on the subject from the Lithuanian Government or from any other Government, and I think, therefore, I had better not be drawn into any further details until we receive them.