§ 5. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Dominions are parties to the arrangement, arising out of the infraction of the Locarno treaties by Germany on 6th March last, for assistance to France and Belgium in the event of unprovoked aggression; and whether they have been consulted on the subject?
§ Viscount CranborneI think the hon. Member may be under some misapprehension. I would recall that, in conformity with Section III of the Text of the Proposals of 19th March, 1936, the position of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in this respect is still governed by the Treaty of Locarno, to which the Dominions are not parties. His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions have been kept informed of every phase of the negotiations arising out of the events of 7th March last.
§ Mr. ManderMy question is, have the Dominions associated themselves in any way with the joint action which the British Government are taking with France and Belgium in this matter?
§ Viscount CranborneMy point is that at the present time we are still governed by the Treaty of Locarno, to which they are not parties, but they have been kept informed.
§ Mr. ManderWhile that is perfectly true, is it not possible for the Dominions, if they so wish, to associate themselves with this action, and have they, in fact, done so?