§ 4. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Part V of the Treaty of Versailles has not been abrogated, he can state what is the juridical position of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement; and whether it is a document that can be registered with the League of Nations?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe juridical position of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement is that it is an agreement in force between the United Kingdom and Germany which in no way affects the rights, whether arising from Part V of the Treaty of Versailles or otherwise, of any country not a party to the Agreement, and which in no way affects the rights of the United Kingdom arising under Part V in respect of any matter not directly covered by the Agreement. The Agreement will be registered with the League of Nations in due course.
§ Mr. COCKSIn view of the fact that this agreement condones the breach of the Versailles Treaty, will the Government give the House an opportunity of expressing its view upon the agreement, which is regarded outside Germany as an act of bad faith?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. Gentleman has put a great deal of controversial matter into his supplementary question, and I do not agree with any of it. No doubt there will be an opportunity to discuss the question, and I think I can prove to the hon. Gentleman that he is not justified in the statements he has made.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESIs it not the view of the Government that there should be no unilateral action in this matter?