§ 3. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His 1494 Majesty's Government are aware of the acute position of minorities in many parts of Europe and whether he will give an assurance that, in any proposals for the revision of the Covenant of the League of Nations, His Majesty's Government will urge that provision is made for the adequate protection of the rights of minorities?
§ Mr. EDENAs regards the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government are aware that the position of minorities in certain parts of Europe gives rise to some disquiet. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the functions of the League in respect of minorities are derived not from the Covenant but from the minorities treaties.
§ Mr. MANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman try to take advantage of the next meeting of the Assembly to secure some improvement in the machinery dealing with minorities, which is very far from being effective?
§ Mr. RILEYHas anything been done by the League to carry out the provisions of the Peace Treaty with regard to minorities?
§ 7. Mr. RILEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the memorandum of the delegation of the Congress of National European Minorities which visited London; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards these minority questions?
§ Mr. EDENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regard's the second part of the question, the attitude of His Majesty's Government is that the provisions of the minorities treaties should be observed.
§ Mr. RILEYIs the Minorities Department of the League of Nations actually functioning, and what are the Government doing, as a signatory, to see that they are being enforced?
§ Mr. EDENThat is rather a different question. If the hon. Member wants information perhaps he will put another question down.