HC Deb 12 December 1938 vol 342 cc1612-3
Mr. Noel-Baker

by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the situation in Lithuania and the Territory of Memel?

The Prime Minister

As the hon. Member is aware, elections to the Memel Diet took place yesterday. There is reason to think that, after these elections, demands may be made on the Lithuanian Government by the majority parties in the Memel Diet which would be inconsistent with the Statute of Memel. His Majesty's Government, as a Signatory to the Memel Convention, of which the Statute is a part, cannot ignore this possibility; and, in view of the special influence which the German Government are in a position to exert in these matters, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Berlin has been instructed to join with the French Ambassador in expressing the hope that they will use this influence to ensure respect for the Statute.