§ 4. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked at what time the decision of the Cabinet to give naval support to France was conveyed to the French Ambassador at London on 2nd August; and whether he can state at what time on the same day the demand of the German Government for a passage-way through Belgium was presented at Brussels?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot at this distance of time say precisely at what hours various communications were made, unless they were stated or recorded in the papers at the time. In any case there is no connection between the two points since, as the White Paper clearly shows, the German Government were asked by His Majesty's Government whether they would respect the neutrality of Belgium so long as no other Power violated it, and declined to give an answer, a considerable time before the question of naval support to France was even discussed.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs it not a fact that the demand made by the German Government on Belgium was the first indication of Germany's intended action?
§ Sir E. GREYIt certainly was-an indication. The first indication of Germany's intended action was that we addressed a request simultaneously to the French and German Governments some time—they are both reported in the documents—in the preceding week. The French Government at once replied in the affirmative that they would respect the neutrality of Belgium, but the German Government said they could not give an answer.
§ Mr. KINGIs any record kept at the Foreign Office of the exact hour when telegraphic communications are sent off?
§ Sir E. GREYOf telegrams, yes; but if I make a communication to an Ambassador the date but not the hour is recorded.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIf the decision of the Cabinet was arrived at on the morning of 2nd August and the German demand was not made until that night at seven o'clock, would it be correct then to say we only departed from our neutrality because of the violation of the neutrality of Belgium?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a hypothetical question and the hon. Member must give notice of any further questions.