6. Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister, upon what dates His Majesty's Government first received warning from their representatives in Berlin, Paris, and Prague, respectively, or from the French Government, of the probability that Herr Hitler intended to invade Czecho-Slovakia on or about 15th March?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government are not prepared to make public diplomatic exchanges between the French Government and themselves, or to disclose the dates or the nature of communications received from His Majesty's representatives in foreign capitals.
Miss RathboneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that warnings as to the very date of Herr Hitler's entry—15th March—were given at least 10 days before from several different sources in Prague and other capitals; and how is it that His Majesty's Government's representatives in those capitals did not give warning of what was, apparently, common talk, and how is it that the Berlin Embassy, apparently, knew nothing about it?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not prepared to accept the hon. Lady's interpretation of the position and, as I have said, I cannot disclose the dates or the nature of the communications.
Miss RathboneIf it is a fact that this intention was known, how was it that the Home Secretary was able to give his "golden age" speech when the Government had been warned as early as 6th March that Hitler was going into Czechoslovakia?
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware that if he read the "Daily Worker" he would have known, on 6th March, that Hitler was going to invade Prague on 15th March?
§ Mr. ManderIn view of the fact that President Roosevelt knew all about it when he was on his holiday, is there any reason why the British Government should not have known?
§ Mr. ButlerThe British Government is as well-informed as any other Government.