§ 6. Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he can give respecting the closing of the Kiel Canal to foreign warships; whether the canal is closed with the approval of His Majesty's Government; and whether any steps will be taken under the Versailles Treaty?
§ Viscount CranborneAs my right hon. Friend stated in the House on 16th November last, a note was received from the German Embassy on 14th November to the effect that the German Government no longer considered themselves bound by those articles of the Treaty of Versailles relating to the internationalisation of rivers and to the administration of the Kiel Canal. One of these articles—Article 380—provides that
the Kiel Canal and its approaches shall be maintained free and open to the vessels of commerce and of war of all nations at peace with Germany on terms of entire equality.A regulation has since been promulgated to the effect that prior authorisation must be obtained from the German Government for the passage through the canal of foreign warships. This regulation does no more than put into practical effect one item in the German Government's note of 14th November. If my hon. and gallant Friend will refer to the statement in question, he will find that, so far from the unilateral action of the German Government meeting with the approval of His Majesty's Government, my right hon. Friend stated that it was, on the contrary, a matter of regret; and the views of His Majesty's Government were made known to the German Government at the time.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonIn view of these changed relations and the changed use of the Kiel Canal, will the Government reconsider the free use of the Suez Canal to foreign warships?
§ Viscount CranborneThat is quite a different question.
§ Mr. ThorneCan the Noble Lord state how many treaties the Germans have broken during the last few years?
§ Viscount CranborneNot without notice.
§ Mr. BellengerHave His Majesty's Government given up making any protest to the German Government on their numerous unilateral breaches of treaties?
§ Viscount CranborneI have already stated in my answer that the views of His Majesty's Government were made known to the German Government at the time, that is, 14th November.
§ Mr. BellengerThat was prior to the Kiel Canal announcement?
§ Viscount CranborneIf the hon. Gentleman will read my answer he will see that the situation was covered by the statement of my right hon. Friend on 14th November.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs any further action than that taken on 14th November contemplated in regard to the Kiel Canal?
§ Viscount CranborneI do not think that any further action would be useful at the present time.