§ 69. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as the Locarno pact could only become effective after Germany became a member of the League of Nations, it is still the intention of His Majesty's Government, following the withdrawal of Germany from the League, to adhere to the pact or to amend the same in co-operation with the other signatories to it?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Eden)While it is the case that the Treaty of Locarno provided for the entry of the treaty into force as soon as all the ratifications should have been deposited and Germany had become a member of the League, the treaty contains no provision for its amendment or alteration should any of its signatories at any time cease to be members of the League. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stated in the House on 7th November, 1933, it is the view of His Majesty's Government, after consulting the law officers of the Crown, that the withdrawal from the League of any party to the Treaty of Locarno does not of itself and by itself involve the release of all parties from their obligations under the treaty. I would remind the hon. Member that by the Anglo-Italian Declaration embodied in the resolution of the recent Stresa Conference, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom formally reaffirmed all their obligations under the Treaty of Locarno and declared their intention, should the need arise, faithfully to fulfil them.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not the fact that no decision can be taken unless the decision is unanimous, and that as Germany, one of the signatories, is no longer a member of the League, no 1893 unanimous resolution can be passed? How can there be any validity, then, in the terms of the Locarno Pact?
§ Mr. EDENNo, Sir. In the first place, of course, Germany is still a member of the League. Her withdrawal does not become complete until October. In the second place, as I have already made plain, in the view of His Majesty's Government, the withdrawal from the League of any party to the Treaty of Locarno does not of itself and by itself involve the release of all parties from their obligations under that Treaty.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think there is any possibility of making all the European countries one unit, which would obviate a lot of trouble.