§ 9. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what he knows of the Franco-Belgian military agreement of 1920 and of the annex dated 1927; what our commitments are under the Anglo-Belgian Convention of 7th July, 1927; and, if these commitments arise out of the Locarno Pact, is there also in existence an Anglo-German convention with similar objects in view?
§ 13. Sir RENNELL RODDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding a secret convention concluded in 1920 between France and Belgium, supplementary to a treaty of alliance between the two States registered at Geneva; and whether he has any information regard 1941 ing the interpretation of that convention, resulting from discussions in 1927 on the manner of giving effect to it between the French and Belgian general staffs?
14. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have had any conversations with France or Belgium regarding co-operation with Franco-Belgian forces; what is the nature of these conversations; and whether any agreements or commitments have been made?
§ 15 and 16. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he has seen the Franco-Belgian military convention of 1920 and the text of the interpretation of that treaty formulated after Locarno and the entry of Germany into the League of Nations; whether an Anglo-Belgian treaty or convention was made in 1927; and, if so, whether he will lay it upon the Table of the House;
(2) whether, since the signing of the Locarno Treaty, any conversations have been held between the representatives of the British and French staffs, or of the British and Belgian staffs, for the purpose of framing tentative arrangements designed to meet the contingency of a German attack on France or Belgium?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe text of the notes exchanged between the French and Belgian Governments recording their reciprocal approval of a military understanding, signed on 7th September, 1920, the object of which was stated to be the reinforcement of the guarantees of peace and security resulting from the Covenant of the League of Nations, was registered with the League on 4th November, 1920. I have not seen the text of the military agreement, which was of course not made public, nor have I any knowledge of an alleged subsequent interpretation of that agreement. Apart from the Treaty of Locarno, no agreement involving a military commitment has been concluded since the War between this country and Belgium, nor is any military agreement or understanding in existence between the British General Staff and that of any foreign country. I may add that no British Military Attaché at Brussels has, on any occasion even discussed the question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay we take it from that answer, which gives considerable relief to our minds, that no military discussions will take place with either France of Belgium which do not also take place with Germany, in order that our obligations under the Locarno Pact may be strictly maintained?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe right hon. and gallant Gentleman may be quite assured that we shall do nothing which is contrary to the Locarno Treaty.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman know if any steps are being taken to trace the origin of this apparent forgery? Does it conic from the same source as the Zinovieff letter?