§ 30. Mr. LATHANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the declaration made by the Austrian Heimwehr on 30th October threatening to use armed force in order to secure certain changes in the Austrian Constitution, His Majesty's Government proposes to make any representations to the Austrian Government for the protection of British interests and the maintenance of peace in Central Europe?
Mr. A. HENDERSONBoth political parties in Austria are discussing the constitutional problem in the manner provided for by the parliamentary institutions of their country and in a spirit congenial to those institutions, and His Majesty's Government sincerely hope that their efforts will enable the Republic to return rapidly to normal conditions and to disarm and disband those semi-military associations which hamper the peaceful and constitutional development of the country. A breakdown of the present Parliamentary negotiations, if followed by any attempt to deal with the problem by other means, would naturally cause His Majesty's Government grave concern as constituting a serious menace to international stability.
Earl WINTERTONWhen the right hon. Gentleman refers to associations, does he include the armed Socialists as well as the Heimwehr?