§ 5. Mr. John Morganasked the Prime Minister what is the appropriate machinery for enabling the question of the future status and administration of Danzig to be made the subject of arbitration before an international tribunal; and whether the Government are prepared to take steps to promote such a treatment of this grave problem?
§ Mr. ButlerThe status of Danzig is regulated by Treaty. The question of any change in that status is in practice a matter in the first instance for the parties most directly interested in the Treaty settlement, and it is for them to agree upon the methods by which they should proceed. It has been repeatedly made clear that His Majesty's Government stand for the settlement of international differences by friendly negotiation, arbitration, or other peaceful means, and they are at all times ready to lend their good offices at the request of the interested parties.
§ Mr. MorganIn the event of these direct negotiations breaking down, or reaching a stage when they look like breaking down, have His Majesty's Government any machinery in mind for dealing with such a situation?
§ Mr. ButlerI said that we are at all times ready to lend our good offices at the request of the interested parties. If we received such a request we should naturally lend our good offices.
§ Mr. MorganGood offices are not exactly machinery. Is there any machine available in international law which would enable such arbitration to be effective?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert WardIs it any use attempting to set up such a tribunal until one has some assurance that both parties to the dispute are prepared to abide by the verdict?
§ Mr. ButlerIn answer to the direct question of the hon. Member, I think that this case could be covered by the terms of the Locarno arbitration treaty.
§ 8. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the re-fortification of the Aaland islands in the Baltic Sea?
§ Mr. ButlerI would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts) on 15th February last. I understand that the proposals of the Finnish and Swedish Governments have now been accepted in principle by the other interested Governments, except the Soviet Government, who have not yet replied to them.
§ 9. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the concentration of German armed forces in the territory of Memel?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has no confirmation of any reports to this effect.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind a possible analogy in the concentration of troops at Bari before Easter?
§ 10. Mr. T. Johnstonasked the Prime Minister whether at the time of the British guarantee to Poland on 31st March, 1939, any advice was tendered to Poland regarding the desirability of her entering into immediate negotiations or discussions with the German Reich for an amicable settlement of the future control and status of Danzig, and reasonable communications between the Reich and East Prussia; and whether, in view of the danger to the peace of the world involved in the present state of affairs in the Danzig area, he can impress upon the Polish Government the necessity of satisfying British public opinion that every reasonable proposal for an equitable settlement will be welcomed?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)The right hon. Gentleman will doubtless have read the speech made by the Polish 8 Foreign Minister on 5th May, from which it is apparent that these questions were already under discussion between the Polish and German Governments before the date of His Majesty's Government's assurance to Poland. The Polish Government are, of course, aware that His. Majesty's Government would welcome an amicable settlement, and I have no reason to doubt that they are alive to the importance of the consideration contained in the second part of the question.
§ Mr. J. MorganIs the Prime Minister ready to avail himself of any likely breakdown to offer his good services?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend has already answered that question.
§ 11. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the new non- aggression pacts now being offered by the German Government to certain Powers, that Government have informed His Majesty's Government that they have denounced the Briand-Kellogg pact of Paris for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy, Germany's adherence to which was specifically confirmed by Herr Hitler in 1933?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWhat is the use of these pacts being proposed by Herr Hitler in view of the way in which he treated the much more important obligations of the Kellogg Pact?
§ 12. Mr. Rileyasked the Prime Minister whether, and when, he will be able to issue a White Paper detailing the pledges which have been given by His Majesty's Government to the Governments of Poland, Rumania, and Greece?
§ Mr. ButlerThe House was given full particulars about these pledges in the statements of the Prime Minister on 31st March, 6th April, and 13th April. Under the circumstances, the issue of a special White Paper would not appear to be justified.
§ Mr. RileyWould it not be advisable that Members of this House should know the details of those agreements? Have there been any reciprocal pledges?
§ Mr. ButlerThe latter question has been answered, and there is a further question down to-day. In reply to the 9 hon. Member's point about the White Paper, perhaps he would consider the statement of the Prime Minister. If he is not satisfied then, perhaps he would have a word with me and see whether he wishes to pursue his view.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIs there any written agreement between the countries concerned?
§ Mr. ButlerI do not think so—no.
§ 15. Mr. Bateyasked the Prime Minister the date when negotiations were opened with Russia for a military alliance?
§ 16. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he has asked for or received any assurance that Russian foreign policy, as regards the negotiations for the formation of a peace bloc, remains unaffected by the change of foreign secretaries?
§ 19. Mr. Boothbyasked the Prime Minister whether in the event of a comprehensive pact of mutual assistance proving impracticable, His Majesty's Government will endeavour to conclude a pact of mutual assistance with the Governments of France and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?
§ 23. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether any reply has been received by His Majesty's Government to the communication recently addressed to the Soviet Government; and, if so, whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the Anglo-Soviet negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterA further expression of the views of His Majesty's Government has been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow for communication to the Soviet Government. While these diplomatic exchanges are proceeding, hon. Members will readily appreciate that it would not be right for me to make a public statement on the points raised in these questions.
§ Mr. BateyCannot the Prime Minister say on what date the negotiations were initiated, because the impression is that the negotiations have taken an extraordinarily long time, and we ought to know where the blame lies?
§ The Prime MinisterI have given the Ion. Member further information.
§ Mr. BoothbyIs the Prime Minister aware that the great majority of the people in this country are in favour of a pact of mutual assistance with the Soviet Union; and, in view of the guarantees now given by this country to Poland and Rumania, and of the increasing anxiety with regard to our policy to take steps to implement them, will he give an assurance to do everything in his power to conclude an Anglo-French-Soviet pact at the earliest possible moment?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware that the public of this country have had an opportunity of expressing such an opinion, and I am not aware what authority the hon. Member has for making such a statement.
§ Mr. A. HendersonMay I ask the Prime Minister whether the House may take it that it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to secure the fullest degree of co-operation with Russia, in endeavouring to establish a system based on mutual guarantees with the object of resisting aggression from wherever it may come?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is the purpose of His Majesty's Government to obtain the fullest co-operation with Russia in the policy which they are pursuing.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCan the Prime Minister state whether the Russian proposals of 16th April have remained unaffected by the change of Russian Foreign Secretary?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not really in a position to give a positive answer to that question.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he does not dissociate himself absolutely from the statement made by the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower).
§ Mr. AttleeDoes not the Prime Minister realise that public opinion is disturbed by the contrast between the rapidity of the acceptance of onerous obligations by this country and the dilatory methods in seeking collateral security?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not agree that there has been any delay.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsDoes my right hon. Friend think that negotiations are helped by mischievous questions?
§ Mr. BateyOn a point of Order. As the first question to which the Prime Minister replied to-day was my question, I want to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether that was a mischievous question?
§ Mr. George GriffithsThe hon. Gentleman opposite is the most mischievous man in the House.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs not the hon. Member who asked about the date on which these negotiations began entitled to an answer; and is it not the fact that the Russians first made proposals about the middle of March?
§ Mr. ShinwellMay I direct attention to the fact that the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister referred to the policy of the Government and stated that the negotiations with Russia were based on the policy of the Government; and are not we entitled in this House to have some information as to the nature of the policy of the Government? [Interruption.] Mr. Speaker, as you are the only person in this House to whom we can appeal for protection, and in view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to state the nature of the policy of the Government, what redress is open to the Opposition?
Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member knows quite well that, while I am always ready to give protection in this House to any hon. Member, it is not my business to deal with Government policy.
§ 21. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the Polish Foreign Minister's proposals for the setttlement of present differences between Germany and Poland?
§ The Prime MinisterHis Majesty's Government welcome the terms at once firm and conciliatory of the speech recently addressed by the Polish Foreign Minister to the Seym, and they have taken due note of the proposals made by him therein.