HC Deb 01 June 1938 vol 336 cc2013-4
19. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of forthwith entering into negotiations for a mutual assistance pact in the event of unprovoked aggression between Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Poland, Czechoslavakia, Hungary, Rumania, Jugoslavia, and such other countries as may appear interested, with a view to the better preservation of peace and to the submission of international disputes to a third-party judgment?

Mr. Butler

I do not consider that the negotiations suggested by the hon. Member would be likely to lead to concrete results.

Mr. Mander

Is it proposed at a later stage to carry on negotiations of this kind so as to have some definite, binding, concrete arrangements to prevent war breaking out in the future?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Government cannot undertake negotiations of the type described in the question of the hon. Member.

Mr. Mander

If it cannot be done now, have the Government in mind any clear vision of the future?

Mr. Butler

The Government are always looking to the future.