§ 51. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Prime Minister whether he can yet state whether His Majesty's Government have given or intend to give any guarantee to Czechoslovakia that her independence will be respected in case of any similar action against her as has been taken against Austria?
§ The Prime MinisterAs my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer informed the hon. Lady on 21st February last, the obligations of His Majesty's Government towards Czechoslovakia are those which every member of the League of Nations assumes towards all its fellow members. I have nothing to add to that statement of the present position, which will continue to have the most careful consideration.
§ Miss WilkinsonIn view of the fact that precisely the same statement was made about Austria, are we to understand, if the present German Government take the same steps against Czechoslovakia that they have taken against Austria, that nothing further than that reply of 29th February is contemplated by His Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI did not say that. I said that the present situation was under consideration.
§ Miss WilkinsonMay I—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Miss WilkinsonSurely on a matter of this kind—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."]—On a point of Order. In view of the fact that this is one of the most important international matters of the 414 moment, surely a second supplementary question may be tolerated, since the Prime Minister has made no answer to my original question.
§ Mr. BoothbyFurther to that point of Order, may I point out—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—I am entitled to point out anything I like, and I want to ask why, if a second supplementary question is to be put, it should not be put from this side of the House?
§ Miss WilkinsonMay I have an answer to my original question, whether His Majesty's Government are giving any definite guarantee, or not, to Czechoslovakia, because what the Prime Minister has said is no guarantee at all, and is completely worthless in the present circumstances?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing now to add to the statement which I have made.
§ Mr. AttleeMay I ask the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to make a statement on his policy in foreign affairs, seeing that he has practically admitted that his late policy is now finished?
§ The Prime MinisterI entirely dissent from that statement by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. AttleeThe Prime Minister told me, when I asked this question before, that I must wait because he could not give me a brand new policy, which indicates that we were to have a statement of a new policy.
Mr. HendersonWill the Government consider, at any rate, the relationship of this country to Czechoslovakia, in the light of the recent annexation of Austria by Germany?
§ Mr. ManderAnd with Germans on the frontier.
§ The Prime MinisterI must decline to be rushed—
§ Mr. Neil MacleanWas not Austria a member of the League of Nations?
§ The Prime Minister—into making announcements prematurely on this very serious subject, and in view of the fact that the Government have to bear a great 415 responsibility it is unreasonable of the Leader of the Opposition to press us to make a statement.
§ Mr. AttleeI was not pressing the right hon. Gentleman, but I was asking him when he would be able to make a statement. May I ask him to recall that in this position there is great anxiety in the country lest we have a Government with no policy?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman cannot suppose that I am ignorant of that, but that is no reason why he should deliver ultimatums to me.
§ Mr. MaxtonIs it not rather better that the right hon. Gentleman should have ultimatums from the Leader of the Opposition than from some foreign Power?