HC Deb 15 April 1931 vol 251 cc168-9
1. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a further statement to the House concerning the projected customs union between Germany and Austria?

3. Sir ASSHETON POWNALL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any further statement as to the proposals for a customs union between Germany and Austria?

5. Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now make any further statement with regard to the proposed Austro-German customs union?

9. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further developments have taken place during the adjournment relating to the proposed Austro-German customs union; and if Austria has yet sent any explanation of her attitude to the protocol of 1922 under which that country secured her loan for reconstruction?

10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make with reference to the proposed Austro-German customs union?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

I would refer the hon. Members to the fall statement made on the 30th of March, to which I can at present add little. I may say, however, that the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the course of a speech delivered on the 31st of March, stated that he was counting on a, discussion of the whole question at the meeting of the League of Nations Commission on European Union which is to be held on the 15th of May at Geneva. I am therefore in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, regarding the economic aspects of the proposed customs union.

Mr. SMITHERS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the attitude of France towards this tariff union?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman attending the meeting?

Mr. HENDERSON

I hope so.

Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Will that meeting take place before the meeting of the council?

Mr. HENDERSON

About three days before the meeting of the council.