§ 73. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Czechoslovakia?
§ 84. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the visit of Lord Runciman to Czechoslovakia and on the position in that country?
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Members to the full statements on the Czechoslovak question which I made in the course of the Debates on 28th September and at the beginning of last month. As regards developments in the situation since the House adjourned, I would ask hon. Members to be good enough to await the statements which will be made in the Debate this afternoon.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs the Prime Minister aware of the decision of the International Commission in Berlin that movable property taken from the Sudeten country after 20th September must be returned, and does he consider that this decision is in accordance with the terms of the agreement?
§ 86. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the international guarantee in respect of the present frontiers of Czechoslovakia?
87. Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister how the matter now stands with regard to the proposed guarantee of the new frontiers of Czechoslovakia and whether he is in a position to issue a White Paper showing the limits of the frontiers, the condition of the guarantees, and any steps that have been taken with a view to checking threats to the security of that State?
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present nothing to add to the statement on this subject made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence on 4th October. The question of issuing a White Paper on the subject will not arise until the new frontiers of Czechoslovakia have been finally settled after the conclusion of the present negotiations between that country and Germany, Hungary and Poland, and the completion of the formal instrument of Guarantee.
88. Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House as to questions of nationals of Czechoslovakia held prisoner or detained as hostages by Germany or in the ceded territories of Czechoslovakia, on political grounds; how many of them have been released or are still detained; and what steps His Majesty's Government have taken about it?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that agreement was reached early last month between the German and Czechoslovak Governments for the reciprocal release of such prisoners and hostages. I have no reason to suppose that this agreement has not been carried out on both sides. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 5th October.
Miss RathboneWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries, in view of the fact that the Prime Minister told the House that he had made no stipulations as to the release of these prisoners? Does not His Majesty's Government feel some responsibility for their safety, and will not inquiries be made as to what actually has happened?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Government took immediate action, and I have no reason to suppose that the agreement to which I have referred has not been carried out.