§ 8. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent visit of Mr. Pirow, the South African Defence Minister, to this country?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe object of Mr. Pirow's visit to this country has been to discuss with the appropriate authorities of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom certain technical aspects of the defence programme of the Union of South Africa. These discussions have now taken place, and the questions involved have been settled. Mr. Pirow has left for a visit to the Continent, but he will be returning to this country for a short time before he sails for South Africa.
§ Mr. HendersonMay the House take it that Mr. Pirow, when he was in London, was not authorised by His Majesty's Government to commit this country in any conversations that he might have with the German Government in respect to the German Colonial claims?
§ Mr. BellengerWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether, among the other objects of Mr. Pirow's visit here, one has been to discuss with His Majesty's Government the German Colonial claims?
Mr. MacDonaldNaturally, when any distinguished statesman from a Dominion comes to this country, we take the opportunity of discussing informally all sorts of international questions. Beyond that and beyond the official purpose of Mr. Pirow's visit, no significance attaches to the visit.
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Pirow has been entrusted with any mission from the British Government on his visit to Berlin?
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennDo we understand the Minister to say that, neither directly nor indirectly is Mr. Pirow entitled to express the views of His Majesty's Government on these Colonial questions?