HC Deb 29 June 1920 vol 131 cc258-9
Sir JOHN BUTCHER (by Private Notice)

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any truth in the statement that a British Ambassador has been appointed to Germany; whether, in view of the fact that Germany has hitherto failed to carry out many of the most important and urgent provisions of the Peace Treaty as to the surrender of war material, disarmament, reparation and surrender of war criminals, and that drastic steps may become necessary to endorse these provisions, it is proper or desirable to appoint an Ambassador at the present time; and whether France and our other Allies have been consulted on the subject and with what result?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes; Lord d'Abernon has been offered, and has accepted the post of British Ambassador in Germany. This appointment was made in pursuance of an agreement unanimously arrived at by the Allied Powers at the recent Conference at Boulogne, where the suggestion that Ambassadors should be sent to Berlin without further delay emanated from the French Government. The remaining Great Powers either have already made, or are about to make, similar appointments.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Would it not be possible to postpone these appointments until, at any rate, Germany has proved herself worthy to be admitted to the League of Nations?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My hon. Friend does not perhaps know that we are already represented by a Charge d'Affaires, and the whole question is whether or not we should be better represented by an Ambassador.

Colonel BURN

Is there any truth in the statement that Lord d'Abernon has been appointed against the views of the Foreign Office?

Mr. BONAR LAW

None whatever. The name of Lord d'Abernon was first suggested by my Noble Friend the Foreign Secretary (Earl Curzon).

Mr. G. LAMBERT

Do the French Government also intend to appoint an Ambassador to Berlin.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have already said that the suggestion that an Ambas- sador should be appointed without delay was made by the French Government.

Mr. BILLING

Have any instructions been given to accelerate the trial of the German war criminals in German?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise.