HC Deb 17 February 1937 vol 320 c1152
3. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations for a new naval treaty are being conducted between Germany and His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether he is in a position to make a statement?

Viscount Cranborne

Negotiations have for some time past been proceeding between His Majesty's Government and the German Government with a view to concluding a bilateral agreement dealing with qualitative limitation on the basis of the London Naval Treaty, 1936. Satisfactory progress has been made, and it is hoped that agreement may shortly be reached on all outstanding points. The conclusion of an agreement with the German Government depends on the conclusion of a similar agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government, with whom parallel conversations are now proceeding.

Mr. Henderson

May I take it that the German Government are not raising any difficulty by reason of the fact that His Majesty's Government are in negotiation with the Russian Government?

Viscount Cranborne

I said that satisfactory progress has been made and it is hoped that agreement will shortly be reached on all outstanding points. The conclusion of an agreement with the German Government depends upon the conclusion of a similar agreement with the Soviet Government, with whom parallel conversations are now proceeding.

Mr. Henderson

I asked whether the German Government are not raising any objections by reason of the fact that the British Government are negotiating with the Russian Government?

Mr. Bellenger

Are the Government prepared to extend this bilateral system of agreements to other countries?