§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement to the House with regard to his visit to Berlin?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe House is aware that the visit to Berlin is one of a series of visits of exploration and inquiry now being paid on behalf of His Majesty's Government to various foreign capitals, and that when these visits are concluded they will be followed by a meeting at Stresa, in North Italy, where I hope to meet Signor Mussolini and Monsieur Laval. In these circumstances it will be obviously undesirable to make a full statement as to a position still under investigation. Unauthorised speculations, such as have appeared in some quarters, should be disregarded.
I may say, however, that, in the course of the two days' conversation with Herr Hitler, the European problem in relation to Germany was reviewed, and all the topics mentioned in the London communique of 3rd February were brought under discussion. Considerable divergence of opinion between the two Governments was revealed by the conversations, but the result of the meeting was undoubtedly valuable in that both sides were able clearly to understand their respective points of view—a process indispensable to any further progress.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay we take it that the meeting at Stresa is to be strictly limited to the three Powers mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, and that the composition of that meeting will not be altered in any way?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Stresa meeting is arranged to take place between the three Powers.
§ Mr. THORNEMay I ask whether the Foreign Secretary is prepared to give the House a considered opinion about Herr Hitler?
§ Mr. MAXTONI hope the right hon. Gentleman has not misunderstood my question. He tells me that the Stresa meeting is arranged only for these three Powers. I am aware of that fact. I am asking whether any conversations that have taken place, or will take place within the next 10 or 11 days, will alter the composition of the Stresa Conference at all, or is that definitely fixed as a meeting of the three Powers?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Stresa meeting, as I have already said, is to be a meeting of the three Powers. I do not think it is possible for me, or for anyone, to speculate as to what may be the course of events after that. The Stresa Conference is to be a meeting of the three Powers.