§ 25. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that under Article 8 of the Treaty of Locarno the Treaty can only be terminated by a two-thirds majority of the Council of the League of Nations, the consent of the League Council has been obtained to the variation of the Treaty as a result of the release of Belgium from the treaty obligations contained in the Anglo-French declaration of 24th April?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir. Article 8 contemplates the position where the Treaty of Locarno can cease to have effect because the Council decides that the League of Nations ensures sufficient protection to the parties. The situation produced by Germany's repudiation of the Treaty obviously rendered inappropriate the utilisation of the machinery provided by Article 8, especially as there was no question of terminating the Treaty.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not the fact that the only obligation imposed upon Belgium by the Treaty of Locarno to come to the assistance of this country was in effect a mere re-affirmation of the obligations of Belgium under Article 16 of the Covenant, and, that being so, is not the releasing of Belgium from her obligations a matter for the League of Nations?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir, the hon. Gentleman is not correct. In point of fact, Belgium has no obligations at all to this country under the Treaty of Locarno.
§ 30. Sir John Mellorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in 776 view of the release by the British and French Governments of Belgium from all obligations towards them resulting from the Treaty of Locarno and the arrangements of 19th March, 1936, he will state what notice the British and French Governments are bound to give to the Belgian Government, in order to terminate their obligations towards Belgium resulting from the said Treaty and the said arrangements should they also desire to be relieved of such obligations?
§ Sir J. MellorAm I to understand from my right hon. Friend that, in exchange for a purely gratuitous and permanent guarantee, we have received no consideration whatever from the Belgian Government?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir, the hon. Gentleman should not take that view. In the view of His Majesty's Government, their obligation towards Belgium under the Locarno Treaty constitutes an effort towards the maintenance of peace.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIs it not the fact that a joint obligation was issued a week or two ago stating that the French Government and His Majesty's Government purported to release the Belgian Government from her obligations to France and to this country; and how could that be if Belgium is under no obligation to this country?
§ Mr. EdenThat is a different point. Belgium is under no obligation to this country under the Locarno Treaty.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairIs it not from the special obligations under the Locarno Treaty and the Agreement made last year that Belgium has been released; and has not Belgium re-affirmed her obligations to the States who are her fellow-members of the League of Nations?