§ 19. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that, in connection with the Anglo-Italian negotiations, the British Government will not contemplate the authorisation of any form of financial assistance, credit, or guarantee to the Italian Government or Italian merchants for the purchase of wheat?
§ Mr. ButlerThe question of credits in any form was not raised by either side during the negotiations which led up to the Agreement of 16th April, and no other negotiations with Italy on this subject are contemplated by His Majesty's Government.
§ 25. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can now say when the recent Anglo-Italian Agreement will be brought into force?
§ Mr. ButlerBoth His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government are anxious for the Agreement to be brought into full force as soon as possible. The conditions, however, by which the entry into force of the Agreement are governed, have been publicly and repeatedly stated, and I have nothing to add to what has been already said.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDo I understand that there is no time limit within which the agreement must be brought into force?
§ Mr. ButlerI have nothing to add to the conditions which have been laid down on this question by the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. A. HendersonHave any representations been made by the Italian Government to the effect that this date should be expedited?
§ Mr. ButlerI should certainly want notice of that question.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCan the hon. Gentleman refer to any statement which gives a definition of the expression "a settlement in Spain"?
§ Mr. A. HendersonIn view of the wide publicity given to this point in the Press this morning, has the hon. Gentleman no statement to give to the House this afternoon?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir; I have no statement to add to what I have already said.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the hon. Gentleman confirm the report from Rome that Count Ciano asked, on 4th June—
§ 46. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the recent Anglo-Italian Agreement, he can now define what is meant by a settlement of the Spanish question?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has nothing to add to the statement which he made in the Debate on 2nd May.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDoes that mean that the Government still accept Signor Mussolini's condition that a settlement in Spain shall mean the victory of General Franco?
§ Sir J. SimonNo, Sir. The Prime Minister, on the contrary, gave in the Debate a very good reason for not defining the question more closely, and that is what my answer means.
§ Mr. GrenfellIf the Prime Minister says one thing and Signor Mussolini another, who is to decide?