HC Deb 18 March 1935 vol 299 cc827-8
Mr. LANSBURY

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the action which His Majesty's Government propose to take having regard to the announcement made by the German Government on Saturday of the decision to adopt conscription and to increase the peace basis of the German Army to 36 divisions?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have already been in communication with the French and Italian Governments on this subject, and they have instructed His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin to deliver a Note to the German Government which I understand will be presented this afternoon. I cannot, of course, make the contents of this communication public until it has been received by the German Foreign Minister, but arrangements are being made that, as soon as I have heard from Sir Eric Phipps that he has made the communication, the British Note may be available in the Vote Office.

Mr. LANSBURY

Obviously, I do not propose to ask any further questions in connection with the Note sent to the German Government to-day, but we may be obliged to ask some questions tomorrow. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is also proposed to discuss the situation with the United States Government and other signatories to the Peace Treaty, and whether it is proposed to ask for a meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations?

Sir J. SIMON

I can answer both those questions, and can assure the right hon. Gentleman that both these matters are under consideration.

Mr. ALBERY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Italian and French Governments are sending notes?

Sir J. SIMON

I cannot say anything about that at the moment.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Can the Foreign Secretary say whether it was the Government's interpretation which we listened to on the wireless on Saturday night?

Sir J. SIMON

I do not know what was said on the wireless, but, of course, it was not the Government's interpretation or the Opposition's interpretation.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the announcer was authorised to make the statement he did on Saturday night?

Sir J. SIMON

I do not know what the statement was, but whatever it was—I am not criticising it—it was, of course, entirely unofficial.