§ 7. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to determine whether the recent Austro-German agreement conforms to the provisions of the treaty of St. Germain and the Geneva Protocol of 1922?
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the late Foreign Secretary on 17th February, when he said that he was not at that moment in a position to estimate the exact effects of the Austro-German Agreement. This is still the position, but, as my right hon. Friend stated on that occasion, His Majesty's Government are following developments with close attention.
§ Mr. HendersonDo not His Majesty's Government intend to make representations to the German and Austrian Governments conveying the serious misgiving that is felt in this country and other countries with respect to this agreement?
§ The Prime MinisterI think we want to be in a position first to estimate what the effects of the agreement are.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that the terms of the agreement have been published and given to the House of Commons in answer to a question; and is it not possible for His Majesty's Government to form an opinion on those facts?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
From information received from Austrian sources it is clear that no actual Treaty instrument was drawn up as a result of the conversations at Berchtesgaden, and it follows, therefore, that no document of this kind will be published."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st February, 1938; col. 6, Vol. 332.]He went on to say that he had been informed again from Austrian sources of the main points of the agreement. It is clear that that requires further exploration and investigation. I may say, however, that an official Austrian communiqué has been issued to the effect that, contrary to rumour, the bases of Austrian monetary and economic policy will not be changed in any way.
§ Mr. HendersonHave any communications been made to His Majesty's Government either by the representative of the German Government or of the Austrian Government? Have they received any representations?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think I ought to be asked to answer questions of this kind without notice.
§ Mr. AttleeIs it not a fact that, when these events occurred, questions were put and we were to have a statement later? We were unable to get a statement last Friday, because the information had not been received, but some time has elapsed since then, and surety some consideration must have been given by His Majesty's Government, in consultation with other Powers, to this fait accompli?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman may not be aware that there have been changes in the Foreign Office 333 which have considerably complicated matters and have delayed a decision.
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Prime Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.