HC Deb 12 December 1938 vol 342 cc1586-7
25. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state whether the new military road from Breslau to Vienna across Czechoslovakia will be German territory; and whether the existence of such a road is consistent with the neutrality of Czechoslovakia in time of war?

Mr. Butler

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member on 30th November.

Mr. Noel-Baker

When does the hon. Gentleman expect to be able to inform us whether it is German territory or not?

Mr. Butler

I hope soon.

28. Mr. Ridley

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a statement issued by the statistics bureau of the Czechoslovakian Government in Prague on 7th December, to the effect that 1,161,616 Czechs and Slovaks are included within the territories recently ceded to Germany, Poland and Hungary; and whether this situation was contemplated by him at the time the Munich Agreement was made?

The Prime Minister

I have seen reports of this statement. As regards the second part of the question, the final delimitation of the frontiers of Czechoslovakia has been reached by agreement between the Czechoslovak Government and each of the other three Governments concerned in accordance with the procedure contemplated in the Munich Agreement.

Mr. Ridley

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that tragic results of this kind flow either from design or from a lack of experience and expert advice on important occasions of this kind; and will he, therefore, make certain that he is suitably and expertly accompanied on his forthcoming visit to Rome?

31. Mr. Benn

asked the Prime Minister whether the British guarantee to Czechoslovakia is still in force; whether it has been accepted by the Prague Government, and in what terms; whether the question has come before the International Commission; and what are the views expressed by the German representative on the matter?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Czechoslovak Government on the, subject. The answer to the third part is in the negative, and the fourth part does not, therefore, arise.