18. Captain A. Evansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the international conversations now taking 1674 place in which this country participates are to be extended to any Powers other than Germany, France and Belgium?
§ Viscount CranborneIf my hon. Friend means visits from foreign statesmen to this country, and visits by His Majesty's Ministers to foreign countries, the answer is that no further visits of such a nature have been arranged.
§ 22. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will assure the House that, in the negotiations which are taking place with other Powers, nothing will be suggested or agreed to which will prevent this country from fulfilling its obligations under the League of Nations Covenant, and before any pact is agreed to, the League Council will be consulted?
§ Viscount CranborneBy Article 20 of the Covenant the members of the League of Nations solemnly undertake that they will not enter into any engagements inconsistent with the terms of the Covenant. His Majesty's Government, of course, abide by this undertaking.
§ Mr. SmithCan we take it from that reply that there is no truth whatever in the rumours which are very prevalent and in the statements which have been made in certain reliable American newspapers regarding the recent negotiations?
§ Viscount CranborneThe hon. Member can take it that what I have said is the fact.
§ 47. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he will take advantage of the visit of the French Prime Minister to make it clear that the obligations of His Majesty's Government under the League Covenant will apply equally whether aggression takes place in the Eastern or Western parts of Europe?
§ 48. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether it remains a prime object of British policy that there should be no interference from any quarter with the integrity and independence of Austria; and whether, in the pending conversations with the French Prime Minister, he will be guided by this principle without variation as well as by our existing undertakings to and understandings with France?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)I would refer the hon. Members to recent statements on the foreign policy of His Majesty's Government by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to which I have nothing to add. I cannot undertake to make any statement on the subject of the conversations now proceeding.
§ Sir A. KnoxDo not these questions show the anxiety of the Socialist party lest this country should be left out of any future war?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend's answer to be interpreted to mean that we are not under an obligation to go to war with everybody and everywhere?