§ 47. Mr. Thurtleasked the Prime Minister whether he will take advantage of the visit of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary of France to make it clear to the French Government that this country has no intention of identifying itself with any combination of Powers purporting to be directed against the alleged dangers of Communism?
§ The Prime MinisterI would remind the hon. Member of the statement by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in this House on 1st November, that His Majesty's Government will join neither an anti-Communist 1877 nor an anti-Fascist bloc. I have no doubt that the French Government are already aware of this statement.
§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has now any statement to make regarding the recent conversations in Germany and the conversations which have just taken place with representatives of the French Government?
§ The Prime MinisterAs regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to previous answers which I have given on this subject. As regards the second point, the best answer I can give to the right hon. Gentleman is to read the terms of the communique which has been issued at the conclusion of the conversations with the French Prime Minister and the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. This was as follows:
M. Chautemps and M. Delbos had a number of conversations with the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and other British Ministers during their stay in London on 29th and 30th November.The French Ministers heard from Lord Halifax himself a statement on his recent conversations in Germany. They were glad to recognise that while Lord Halifax's visit, being of a private and unofficial character, was not expected to lead to any immediate results, it had helped to remove causes of international misunderstanding and was well calculated to improve the atmosphere.The problems of Europe as a whole and the future prospects of appeasement and disarmament came under review. On these important subjects the French and British Ministers found fresh evidence of that community of attitude and outlook which so happily characterises the relations between France and the United Kingdom.A preliminary examination was made of the colonial question in all its aspects. It was recognised that this question was not one that could be considered in isolation, and moreover would involve a number of other countries. It was agreed that the subject would require much more extended study.The French Ministers in their turn spoke of the forthcoming visit of M. Delbos to certain countries in Central and Eastern Europe. They were happy to note the common interest of the two Governments in the maintenance of peaceful conditions in those parts of Europe.The situation arising out of the Spanish conflict and Mediterranean questions generally came under review. It was agreed that despite all difficulties the policy of non-intervention in Spain had been fully justified and had 1878 contributed materially to diminish the international repercussions of the conflict. It was resolved to continue to pursue the efforts of the two Governments in this direction in order to give full effect to this policy.The French and British Ministers examined the Far Eastern situation, the gravity of which they fully recognised. They were agreed as to their readiness to co-operate, with other Powers similarly placed, to protect the rights and interests and to meet the obligations arising from international treaties relating to that part of the world.The French and British Ministers went on to review in a spirit of mutual confidence the other aspects of international affairs of common interest to the two countries. While in no way departing from their previously expressed conception of international collaboration, they reaffirmed the desire of their Governments to co-operate with all countries in the common task of promoting international appeasement by the methods of free and peaceful negotiation.
§ Mr. AttleeMay I ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to extend the conversations to other countries, and not confine them to this country and Germany and to this country and France; and whether the conversations are being carried on with other countries with a view to trying to arrive at a general settlement of these problems with all the countries concerned?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman will be well aware that the ultimate object we have in view is what he has described as a general settlement. It is quite obvious that no general settlement can be arrived at merely by conversations between two or three countries, and, therefore, we must ultimately contemplate that other countries will be brought into these conversations. At the same time, I must make it clear that I do not think we have got as far as the advisability of an immediate extension of the conversations, although that may come at a later stage.
§ Mr. ManderMay I ask whether it is proposed to have a Debate on foreign affairs?