§ 11. Mr. BUXTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the Polish Foreign minister's recent declaration that future guarantees must be negotiated before the Rhineland is evacuated, he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government does not contemplate the grant of further guarantees to the government of Poland in connection with the evacuation of the Rhine-land.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government have repeatedly stated that this country cannot give further guarantees or increase the obligations which it has taken by the Covenant of the League and the Treaty of Locarno.
§ Mr. BUXTONMay we understand then that the Government have a perfectly free hand in regard to the evacuation of the Rhineland?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. Obviously, it would be a matter for joint co-operation arising out of the Treaty of Versailles, but we are under no obligation to any country.
§ Mr. BUXTONAre any negotiations in progress with regard to evacuation?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIf the right hon. Getleman has a free hand, does he not think that, after 10 years, it is time that Great Britain withdrew her troops?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will consult with his leader as to why he put a period of 15 years in the Treaty.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWas not the Foreign Secretary a member of the Cabinet at that time?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, but my right hon. Friend is a better authority on the authorship of the Treaty.