§ 9. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as was stated by Herr von Ribbentrop in his speech at the Council of the League of Nations, on 19th March, the offer of an air pact originated with Germany; and whether it was rejected on the ground that such a pact could only be agreed to in combination with Germany's adhesion to an eastern pact?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount Cranborne)The proposal for the conclusion of an air pact for the five Western Powers was originally made in the Anglo-French Declaration of 3rd February, 1935. It did not originate with Germany. It was originally understood that such a pact should form part of the general settlement outlined in the February Declaration. During the summer of 1935, however, the French Government agreed that that understanding need not prevent the negotiation—as distinguished from the conclusion—of an air pact independently of the other matters, including the eastern pact, dealt with in the Declaration. Far from refusing to proceed with the negotiation of an air pact, His Majesty's Government on more than one occasion urged upon the German Government in the autumn of 1935 and again in January and February of this year the desirability of opening negotiations without further delay.
§ Mr. SANDYSWill the Government, in these circumstances, correct the false impression created in the mind of the German Government as to the parentage of the child?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI hope that my answer to-day will have that effect.