HC Deb 27 July 1938 vol 338 cc3076-7
6. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Prime Minister what representations have recently been made by the British Minister in Prague on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the Czechoslovakian Government in relation to the Sudeten-German problem?

10. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement concerning the recent conversations between His Majesty's Minister in Prague and the head of the Czech Government?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement which I made on this subject in my speech yesterday, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Mander

Did these representations include the suggestion that a British subject should go out and act in the position of alleviator in Prague?

The Prime Minister

I dealt with the point in my speech yesterday.

13. Sir Percy Harris

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to send a special representative to Czechoslovakia to advise the Government in their negotiation with the Sudeten Deutsch; and, if so, what are the terms of his appointment?

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement on this subject yesterday.

Sir P. Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the Noble Lord is going in a private capacity?

The Prime Minister

I made a statement on the subject in the House yesterday.

Mr. Bellenger

If the Government have any representations to make to the Czechoslovakian Government, will they make them through their own representative or through Lord Runciman?

The Prime Minister

If the Government have any representations to make we shall make them through our own representative.

15. Mr. De Chair

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the progress of negotiations between the Czechoslovak Government and the Sudeten-German and other minorities over the proposed nationalities statute; and, in view of our special interest in the welfare of these minorities arising from the Treaty of St. Germainen-Laye, whether he is satisfied that the proposed statute fulfils the pledges as to the status and welfare of the minorities in Czechoslovakia contained in the Benes memorandum of 1919?

The Prime Minister

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday. His Majesty's Government have not yet seen the text of the proposed statute, and I cannot, therefore, express any opinion regarding its contents.

Mr. De Chair

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the request of the Sudetan Germans to join the Austrian Republic in 1919 was turned down by the Peace Conference on the promise contained in the Benes memorandum that autonomy would be given to this minority, and will he, therefore, make representations to the Czechoslovakian Government to see that this pledge is at long last fulfilled?

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