HC Deb 16 November 1938 vol 341 cc841-2
1. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Pr rite Minister what are the circumstances in which certain of the frontiers of Czechoslovakia are being determined by the Governments of Italy and Germany without reference to the Governments of Great Britain and France?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 3rd November, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Mander

Are we to infer that the Four-Power Pact has already become a Two-Power Pact?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir.

4. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government were consulted by the German and Italian Governments with regard to the establishment of a new frontier between Czechoslovakia and Hungary?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Has it ever happened in British history before that we have guaranteed a frontier as to the drawing up of which we have not been even consulted?

Mr. Butler

The hon. Member will be aware, from the Prime Minister's answer to a previous question in regard to the guarantee, that it is necessary to wait for a further statement from His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Have we not been told by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence that the guarantee has been in force for many weeks?

Mr. Butler

The right hon. Gentleman should pay due heed to the statement made by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence.

Mr. Benn

How can we be waiting for some decision as to the guarantee, when a Minister has announced that it is already in force?

Mr. Butler

We are not waiting for a decision. We are waiting for a further statement as to the position regarding the guarantee.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Was it not agreed that there was to be a general conversation between the four Powers, and has not that been completely abandoned?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. The Munich Agreement provided that if a settlement of this question was not reached in three months, the matter would be considered afresh by the Munich Powers. In this case, Czechoslovakia and Hungary asked the German and Italian Governments to mediate on the question. Therefore, the position is perfectly clear.