§ 44. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the position at Danzig?
§ Mr. EDENIn view of the unsatisfactory state of affairs in Danzig revealed by the report of the League High Commissioner of 12th September, 1936, 25 the Committee of Three appointed by the Council to follow the situation in the Free City held several meetings during the course of the last Council session at Geneva. After a careful examination of the whole position, the Committee decided to advise the Council to entrust to Poland the task of dealing with the matter on the Council's behalf with a view to putting an end to the situation described in the High Commissioner's report and to rendering fully effective the League guarantee of the Constitution of the Free City. A report and resolution in this sense was adopted by the Council at its meeting on 5th October. The Polish Government duly accepted the task entrusted to them, and will report to the Council at its next meeting. I should add that in view of the importance of the question the Council has declared its readiness to hold a special session, in case of need, to deal with it.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Polish Government are carrying out the task entrusted to them?
§ Mr. EDENI undertand that they have already engaged in these conversations, and I anticipate that I may have a report shortly.
§ Mr. A. HENDERSONAre the duties which were formerly carried out by Mr. Lester, the High Commissioner, being carried out by representatives of the Polish Government?
§ Mr. EDENMr. Lester is still High Commissioner and will continue to be until somebody else is appointed in his place.
§ Mr. McGOVERNHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement of the right hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan, Western (Mr. Johnston) with regard to that matter, and does he agree that there is no repression in this part of the world?