§ 12. Mr. MABANEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the official declaration by Marshal Pétain to the effect that Germany is now rearmed to the level of 1914; and whether His Majesty's Government have any information on this subject?
§ Sir J. SIMONI understand from the Press that on the 6th June Marshal Pétain made a statement to the Army Commission of the Chamber of Deputies on the subject of German armaments. The proceedings of the Commission are secret and I have no official information as regards the details of the Marshal's statement. According to the official communiqué, as reproduced in the British Press, the Marshal drew attention to the strength of the para-military organisations, to the existence of a German military air force, and to the intensive manufacture of arms.
§ Mr. MABANEIn view of the anxiety in this country, would it be possible for the Government to issue a statement showing the extent to which, in their opinion, Germany has observed the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles or, on the other hand, the extent to which those provisions are not being observed in this connection?
§ Sir J. SIMONThat is a matter which would need consideration. I could not deal with it in answer to a supplementary question.