§ 45. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister what staff conversations have been arranged or are contemplated with countries with which military obligations have been undertaken?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)His Majesty's Government will maintain all necessary contacts, in military as in other matters, with the countries in question.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not vital that such conversations should take place with Poland, Rumania, and Greece, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that they are actually taking place?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member must be satisfied with the assurance that I have just given him.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIt is the intention to provide the whole House with an early opportunity of expressing their gratification at the initiative taken by President Roosevelt?
§ 50. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister why a D notice was issued to the Press at 7.50 p.m. on 10th April requesting them to refrain from publishing the fact that the coastal and anti-aircraft defences in Malta were being manned, in view of the fact that the information had already been issued to the Press throughout the world from Malta, and had appeared in the evening papers in London?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI have been asked to reply. It is customary, for obvious reasons, to ask the Press not to publish 163 details of our precautionary measures. In this case, as soon as it became apparent that the information, derived from another source, had been published, the request was withdrawn in fairness to the Press as a whole.
§ Mr. ManderIn view of the fact, which is well known, that the information had been given out directly from Malta to the whole world, why was any attempt made to prevent the British public alone from having this information?
§ Sir William DavisonIs there any reason at all why the Press should publish particulars of the movements of our ships and troops or of our general preparations?
§ Sir E. FindlayWhy should not the Government ask the Press not to publish such information? It is a perfectly reasonable request.
§ Mr. ManderThe question is why, in view of the fact that the information had been given out direct from Malta to the whole world, an attempt was made to prevent the British Press alone from publishing it?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI answered that question. As soon as it was known that the information, coming from another source, had been published, instructions were given that the request not to publish the information should be withdrawn.
§ Sir W. DavisonWhy should all the movements of our troops and ships be published in the Press?
§ 69. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that any modification in the status of Danzig will be brought before the Council of the League of Nations for approval and that existing Polish rights in Danzig are covered by the British guarantee recently given by him?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)The Council of the League of Nations would, of course, have to consider any modification in the status of Danzig in view of the League's special connection with the Free City. The Prime Minister's recent statements in this House will, I trust, have put beyond doubt the nature of the undertakings given to the Polish Government by His Majesty's Government
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give a specific answer to the latter part of the question as to whether existing Polish rights in Danzig come within the terms of the guarantee?
§ Mr. ButlerI cannot add anything to the specific statement made by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not of vital importance that the whole world should know whether the existing rights are covered or not? Is it the case that the Government will not say anything?
§ 71. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the recent negotiations with other Governments with a view to organising a combination of Governments to resist unprovoked aggression?
§ 72 and 73. Major Milnerasked the Prime Minister (1) whether he can now indicate the precise extent of the existing arrangements between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Great Britain for mutual defence against aggression;
(2) whether he is aware of the widespread desire for the fullest measure of co-operation between this country and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for mutual defence; and whether he can give an assurance that the Government have that desire and are taking every step to implement it without reservation?
§ The Prime MinisterI would ask hon. Members to be good enough to await the statement on the general situation which I shall be making in reply to the Leader of the Opposition at the end of Questions.
§ 74. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister what reports have now been received from His Majesty's Minister in Albania relating to recent events in that country?
§ Mr. ButlerI have received a number of telegrams from His Majesty's Minister at Durazzo, to whose work under very great difficulties I should like to pay a tribute. These reports do not appreciably add to what has been made public.
§ Mr. HendersonHas any explanation been given of why no reports were received for at least a week after the events took place?
§ Mr. ButlerCertain reports were received, but certain others were not, and 165 that was due to the difficulty of communication between Durazzo and this country at that time.
§ 77. Mr. Sandysasked the Prime Minister what engagements His Majesty's Government have entered into to assist Holland, Switzerland, or Denmark in the event of any of these countries becoming the victim of aggression?
§ The Prime MinisterHis Majesty's Government have entered into no specific engagements with the three countries named, but it is unnecessary for me to insist upon the interest which His Majesty's Government have in the preservation of their independence.
§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make in regard to the international situation?
§ The Prime MinisterHis Majesty's Government have continued their close consultation with other interested Governments, including the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement made on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the course of the Debate on 13th April. I should, however, like to take this opportunity to inform the House of the great satisfaction with which His Majesty's Government have welcomed the recent initiative of the President of the United States of America.