§ 12. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether he intends to inform the French Government of the purport of his proposed conversation with Signor Mussolini?
§ The Prime MinisterHis Majesty's Government will naturally remain in close touch with the French Government on the subject of these conversations, as on all other questions in which they have a common interest.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs it is the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to keep in touch with the French Government in these matters, cannot he take this House into his confidence? Why this secrecy? Is there any reason why hon. Members should not be informed as to the purport of these conversations if the French Government have been informed?
§ The Prime MinisterI did not say that the French Government is to be advised as to the purport of these conversations because it seems to me rather difficult to describe the purport of conversations which have not yet taken place.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes that mean that the right hon. Gentleman has not yet made up his mind what matters he is going to discuss?
§ Mr. GallacherWill not Signor Mussolini expect an offer of some kind?
§ 43. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether negotiations have now been opened between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government with a view to a definite agreement on the boundaries between British Somaliland and Italian East Africa as provided in the Anglo-Italian Agreement, or whether these negotiations are to be postponed 2451 until after the forthcoming conversations in Rome?
§ The Prime MinisterThe negotiations to which the hon. Member refers have not yet been opened, and I do not anticipate that it will be possible to begin them before or during my visit to Rome, since further consideration is required of the complicated issues involved.
§ Mr. HendersonWill the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that there is no connection between the postponement of these negotiations and his intention to discuss the future of British Somaliland with the Italian Government?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no connection.
47. Major Whiteleyasked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not agree to any cession of British Colonial territory, and in particular that of British Somaliland, or any part thereof, to Italy?
§ 53. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he will inform the head of the Italian Government during his forthcoming visit to Rome that the recent declaration by the Secretary of State for the Colonies relative to cession of colonial territory applies without reservation to the territory of British Somaliland?
§ The Prime MinisterI am glad to have this opportunity of denying categorically rumours which have been reported in certain quarters that His Majesty's Government were contemplating the cession of colonial territory to the Italian Government. No such suggestion has been made by the Italian Government, and I would further refer to the assurance given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the course of his speech in this House on 7th December last.
§ 5 Mr. Sandysasked the Prime Minister whether, on the occasion of his visit to Rome, he will inform Signor Mussolini of the impatience of the British 2452 public over the continued intervention of Italy in the Spanish civil war, notwithstanding assurances given to the contrary; and whether he will consider indicating to him that unless the Italian forces are withdrawn within a specific period His Majesty's Government will lift the embargo on the export of arms to Spain?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not prepared to say in advance what subjects will be discussed during my forthcoming visit to Rome.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennWill the Prime Minister point out to the Duce that the pledge which he gave this House on the Duce's word has turned out to be baseless?
§ Mr. ThurtleWill the right hon. Gentleman tell Signor Mussolini that the British Government expect agreements to be respected?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the hon. Gentleman had better leave me to decide that.
§ Mr. David GrenfellHas not the right hon. Gentleman some responsibility towards this House? Has this House not to decide?
§ Commander MarsdenDoes my right hon. Friend fully realise that he is going to Italy with the complete confidence of everyone on this side?
§ 54. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government was consulted or informed by the French Government in regard to the notification by the latter Government to the Italian Government that France will cede no territory to Italy; whether His Majesty's Government supports France in that declaration; and whether he will so inform the head of the Italian Government during the Rome conversations?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As I stated on 14th December, any action contrary to the provisions of the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 16th April would, of course, be a matter of grave concern to His Majesty's Government. But I also stated that His Majesty's Government cannot contemplate any such possibility.