HC Deb 15 July 1936 vol 314 cc2025-6
13. Mr. A. HENDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action His Majesty's Government propose to take in view of the representations made by the French Government to His Majesty's Government in favour of terminating the agreements for mutual military assistance made between this country and France, Jugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey?

Mr. EDEN

No such representations have been made.

14. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the arrangements for the withdrawal of a portion of the British Fleet from the Mediterranean affect in any way the staff plans between Great Britain, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece for mutual support in the event of attack and were made after consultation with and agreement with the States acting with this country?

Mr. EDEN

The withdrawal of certain units of the British Fleet from the Mediterranean has no connection with the unilateral and provisional assurance of continued support to certain Mediterranean Powers to which I referred in the course of the Debate on 18th June. So far as France is concerned, the hon. Member will be aware that the French Government regard the mutual assurances exchanged between this country and France as cancelled on the withdrawal of sanctions.

Mr. MANDER

Do I understand that the other assurances remain in full force?

Mr. EDEN

In the case of our assurances, the position remains as I stated in my speech.

Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

Have not some of the other countries, Yugoslavia and Greece, for instance, withdrawn their assurances?

Mr. EDEN

The right hon. Gentleman will see that what I referred to in my speech was our own position, and not that of other countries.