HC Deb 19 December 1934 vol 296 cc1128-9
6. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the House as to the present position in the Memel territory and state whether he is satisfied that the terms of the Four-Power Statute are being correctly observed by the Government of Lithuania?

Sir J. SIMON

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on the 4th December. A provisional directorate is now in office in the territory. The Diet met on the 13th December, but owing to the absence of a quorum could not proceed with the agenda. Negotiations for the reconstitution of the directorate are continuing. His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Kovno, who attended the session of the Diet, and has kept a close watch on the situation, reports that the Lithuanian Government appear to be endeavouring to restore the normal functioning of the constitution in the territory.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. If I lay before him certain specific cases which appear to show that the Lithuanian Government are, and have been, consistently flouting the terms of the Four-Power Treaty will he consider them?

Sir J. SIMON

I shall be happy to do so.