HC Deb 21 November 1938 vol 341 cc1324-5
20. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends during his forthcoming visit to Paris to discuss proposals for the amendment of the Covenant of the League of Nations with the French Government; and what is the nature of such proposals?

The Prime Minister

The attitude of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on the question of the application of the principles of the Covenant was made clear at the last Assembly of the League of Nations, and their proposals were then made to the Assembly. His Majesty's Government have no further proposals to make at the present time.

28. Mr. Jenkins

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that during his forthcoming visit to Paris he will not discuss proposals for the grant of belligerent rights to General Franco?

The Prime Minister

I am not able to say in advance what subjects will be discussed during the forthcoming visit to Paris.

Mr. Jenkins

Have no steps been taken to determine what questions will be discussed at the meeting in Paris?

The Prime Minister

That is a different question altogether; I said that I could not tell the House.

Mr. Attlee

Will not the right hon. Gentleman give the House some idea of the purpose of this visit and what the discussions are to be, in view of the importance of the need that the House should know what discussions are being carried on by our representatives?

The Prime Minister

I do not think it would be in the public interest.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman desires merely to be discreet or that he has nothing to say?

Mr. Attlee

I was not asking for details; I was asking for the general trend or scope of the conversations proposed to be held in Paris.

The Prime Minister

The visit to Paris is a return visit, following upon the visit of the French Ministers to this country, and no doubt the opportunity will be taken while we are in Paris of discussing various matters of general interest to both countries.

Mr. Davidson

Has the Prime Minister consulted, or will he consult, his Cabinet with regard to the proposals to be discussed?