HC Deb 16 December 1936 vol 318 cc2435-6
5. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French guarantee of military support to Great Britain in the event of unprovoked aggression includes the Irish Free State?

Mr. EDEN

It is not for me to define the scope of the assurance given by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, but his statement, which I quoted in reply to a question by the hon. Member on Thursday last, refers to "the defence of Great Britain."

Mr. MANDER

Is it not of the utmost importance that the countries concerned should know exactly where they stand, and could not the right hon. Gentleman ask the French Government for further information on the subject?

Mr. EDEN

The hon. Member will understand that this is a unilateral declaration by the French Government. We had no assurance of this kind at all under the Locarno Treaty.

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