HC Deb 02 December 1936 vol 318 cc1229-30
1. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with what country at the present time technical arrangements exist as a result of Staff conversations for immediate co-operation between the armed forces of Great Britain and other countries to resist collectively aggression?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)

There have been no Staff conversations since those referred to in a question by the hon. Member on 28th May last, and I have nothing to add to the statement which my Noble Friend made in reply to that question on that date.

Mr. MANDER

Do I understand that the Staff arrangements made between this country and France and Belgium still hold good?

Mr. EDEN

Those conversations were confined to the giving of information.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Would it not be desirable that the conversations should be renewed?

7. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended that our engagements to support by armed force France and Belgium in the event of an act of aggression should bind us even when such aggression should arise as a result of action taken by France under the Franco-Soviet pact or through her treaties with the Little Entente or Poland?

Mr. EDEN

The engagements of this country in the matter of assistance to France and Belgium under the Treaty of Locarno are clearly defined in that instrument. While I cannot undertake, while negotiations for a new treaty are in progress, to discuss the possible provisions of that treaty, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the scope of their obligations in the new treaty should approximate as closely as possible to those in the Treaty of Locarno.

Mr. MANDER

Would the right hon. Gentleman mind answering the question on the Paper, which he has not done, as to whether our obligation holds good in the event of France being attacked under the Franco-Soviet Pact or through her treaties with the Little Entente or Poland?

Mr. EDEN

The hon. Gentleman will find the answer to it in the Treaty of Locarno.

Mr. MANDER

Does that mean that our position is quite indefinite, and that no one knows how we shall act?

Mr. EDEN

Our position is governed by our engagements.

10. Mr. De CHAIR

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether our pledge to defend Belgium from aggression extends to the Belgian Empire also?

Mr. EDEN

The guarantees given under the Treaty of Locarno are clearly limited to Europe by the wording of the Treaty.

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