§ 54. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether that Clause in 2268 the Austrian armistice terms which authorises our troops in Austro-Hungary to keep order is intended to be used to suppress revolution and to protect the lives and property of the old military caste of Austro-Hungary?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis question is so hypothetical that I cannot answer it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that before the British Army is used as a counter revolutionary Army this House will be consulted?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can assure my hon. Friend that nothing in the world is less likely than that the British Army should be used for such a purpose.
§ 60. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Austrian armistice, it might be possible to release Austrian civilians from internment, thus saving money to the country and giving a lead to better relations in future?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir G. Cave)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I do not think any general release of interned Austrians would be desirable at the present moment either in their own interest or in that of this country. Many of them cannot be released until it is possible to arrange for their repatriation.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes that extend to Hungarians and Czechoslovaks?
§ Sir G. CAVEHungarians, certainly. Czecho-Slovaks are treated as friendly aliens.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs it not better to keep all interned aliens in their present position of security pending peace negotiations?
§ Sir G. CAVEI think generally that would be right.
§ Sir G. CAVEAs a matter of fact, nearly all of that age have been repatriated.