§ 6. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of the withdrawal of British troops from the Rhineland under Article 431 of the Treaty, and irrespective of the simultaneous withdrawal of the French troops, has yet been raised by the German Government?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have indicated either to the French or to the German Governments that they consider that the evacuation of the Rhineland by British troops is dependent upon Germany agreeing to a change in or a settlement of reparations?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government have had no occasion to make any communication to either the French or German Governments regarding the withdrawal of the British troops in the Rhineland, as distinct from the evacuation of the Rhineland by all three occupying Powers.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay we take it that we still have a free hand to conform to Article 431 if we wish to do so?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINWe have an absolutely free hand. We shall conform to the terms of the Treaty.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAnd that Article?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. What exactly the terms of the Article are or imply is not a matter with which I can deal in an answer to a supplementary question.