HC Deb 28 April 1937 vol 323 cc319-20
7. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take any necessary action in order to ascertain whether a world political and economic conference is likely to succeed; and whether he will offer the co-operation of His Majesty's Government in order to ensure adequate preparation for such conference?

Mr. Eden

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Bassetlaw Division (Mr. Bellenger) on Monday last.

Mr. Henderson

As one of the methods of ascertaining whether such a conference is likely to be successful, will the right hon. Gentleman himself go to Berlin and talk the matter over with Herr Hitler?

Mr. Eden

The Belgian Prime Minister has been entrusted with a certain task, and I think everybody in Europe thinks it is in good hands.

Mr. Henderson

Was not the task entrusted to M. van Zeeland concerned with economic collaboration, and is not my question directed not only to an economic but to a political conference? Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question so far as it is directed to a proposed political conference?

Mr. Eden

I think that the same answer would apply. In either case adequate preparation is necessary.

Mr. Emmott

Does not experience show that the wider the objectives of a conference the less are its prospects of success?

Back to