§ 3. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to include Norway, Sweden, or Finland in any British guarantee or mutual aid pact, general or bilateral; and whether any negotiations on the subject are taking place or are contemplated?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government do not at present contemplate any such arrangement with the three countries mentioned.
§ Mr. ManderAre not His Majesty's Government deeply interested in the independence and integrity of these three countries?
§ Mr. ButlerWe see no reason to regard the integrity of these three countries as threatened. There is no doubt that, if it were threatened at a later stage, we should be by no means indifferent to the situation so created.
§ Mr. ManderWould it not be a good thing for a change to guarantee the democracies instead of always guaranteeing dictatorships?
§ 4. Sir Percy Harrisasked the Prime Minister whether he has now any information either of the presence of Italian troops or the erection of fortifications in the island of Jebel Zukur; and what steps he proposes to take in view of the breach of the undertaking not to fortify this island?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. As a result of inquiries that have been made, my Noble 1110 Friend is satisfied that there is no foundation for the recent allegations of activities on Jebel Zukur.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether inquiries were carried out on the spot by the agent of the Government?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir; the island in question was visited.
§ 5. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether a proposal for the establishment of an Anglo-French-Russian military alliance has been made to the French and Russian Governments?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)I am not yet in a position to add to the statement which I made in reply to questions on Monday.
§ Mr. ManderIn view of the fact that it was stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer the other evening that the Government had no objection in principle to a military alliance with Russia, is it not possible to say whether any such offer has actually been made to the Russian Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that we could possibly carry on negotiations if one had to make statements in the particular state of these negotiations.
§ Mr. ManderWhile quite appreciating that fact, can the Prime Minister suggest when it will be possible for him to make a definite statement?
§ 6. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will supplement the initiative of President Roosevelt's recent appeal by making an immediate announcement of the Government's desire and intention substantially to contribute to a solution of international economic problems on a peaceful basis; and whether he will indicate at an early date the nature and scope of this contribution?
§ 14. Mr. Beechmanasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of President Roosevelt's intimation that the United States of America are willing to take part in negotiations for the purpose of removing possible causes of friction between 1111 nations, he will make it clear to the world forthwith that this country is willing so far as lies in its power, to contribute to the consolidation of peace by ensuring to all countries access to raw materials subject to effective international disarmament?
§ The Prime MinisterI am glad of the opportunity of making it clear that His Majesty's Government are in sympathy with all attempts to secure an agreement for the limitation of armaments, to open up avenues of international trade and to reduce barriers to economic intercourse. In this connection I would call attention to the fact that His Majesty's Government are negotiating or proposing to negotiate with certain foreign Governments. A Trade Delegation from Finland is now in this country, and it is hoped that a similar delegation from Sweden will shortly arrive. Also, as the House is aware, a delegation from this country to Rumania has just reached Bucharest. His Majesty's Government are ready to consider any proposals which may be brought forward for the more equal distribution of raw materials, on the access to which there is, however, practically no restriction in the British Colonial Empire.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not appreciate that the initiative of President Roosevelt has had a profound effect on the world, and whether he will not agree that equally energetic initiative from this country along constructive lines might also go a long way towards stopping the trend towards world collapse and chaos at the present time?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member can rest assured that if we see any useful opportunity for taking the initiative, we shall not hesitate to do so.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the right hon. Gentleman make some use of it?
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that the President laid it down that there should be a pledge against aggression before any other steps were taken?
§ 8. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government intend to give de jure recognition to the Italian annexation of Albania?
§ Mr. ButlerThe question of the recognition of the new status of Albania will fall to be considered when the constitutional position and future relations between Italy and Albania as well as the international position of Albania, particularly in the sphere of foreign relations, become more clearly defined.
§ Mr. HendersonWill the Prime Minister give the House an assurance that any decision that may be taken by His Majesty's Government on this point will be subject to the approval of the House, and that the British Ambassador will not proceed to Rome until that approval has been given?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot go further than the usual practice on these occasions. It is possible for the House to express its disapproval of any action taken by the Government.
§ Mr. HendersonWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my supplementary question, namely, whether he will give an assurance that the British Ambassador will not proceed to Rome until the approval of the House has been given?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, I certainly cannot give that assurance.
§ Mr. BennHas the Prime Minister taken note of the effect of an answer of this kind upon the feelings of other small States in the neighbourhood?
§ Sir Archibald SinclairWill the Prime Minister make it clear that the Government do not condone, and will take no action which amounts to condonation of, the Italian annexation of Albania?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is too far-reaching an undertaking to give.
§ Mr. ManderTo whom will the new Ambassador be accredited when he proceeds to Rome?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another question.
§ 9. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have accepted President Roosevelt's invitation to participate in a world conference; and whether it remains the policy of His Majesty's Government to discuss all outstanding questions between them and the German Government as part of 1113 a general settlement ensuring the establishment of permanent peace on the basis of justice to all nations, including the Czech nation?
§ The Prime MinisterAlthough His Majesty's Government have not received any specific invitation from the President of the United States of America, they have made it clear that they warmly welcome his initiative, and would certainly be ready to participate in such a conference. In reply to the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government will be ready to take part in a discussion with the German Government with a view to a general settlement whenever they feel satisfied that such a discussion would be welcomed and would be likely to have useful results.
§ Mr. HendersonMay I ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the last part of my question?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir; I am not quite sure that I know what it means.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIt asks whether His Majesty's Government recognise the conquest of Czecho-Slovakia?
§ 13. Mr. Rileyasked the Prime Minister whether any approach has been made or is being made by His Majesty's Government to the Governments of Jugoslavia and Bulgaria with a view to reaching agreements with the Governments of those countries and His Majesty's Government and other European countries for pacts of mutual defence against aggression?
§ Mr. ButlerNo such approach has been or is being made at present to either of the countries concerned.
§ Mr. RileyArising out of that reply, may I ask if the Government does not consider it necessary to secure the maximum support for the policy of defence against aggression?
§ Mr. ButlerI must refer the hon. Member to the statements of policy made in this House by the Prime Minister.
§ 15. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he will give particulars of any treaties, agreements, or pledges, given by Germany to Austria or Czecho-Slovakia prior to the German annexation of those countries which would have entitled their Governments to say 1114 that they had no reason to regard Germany as a menace to their national independence?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. and gallant Member will find particulars of undertakings given by the German Government in the Prime Minister's speech on 14th March, 1938, and in the annex to the Munich Agreement.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it clear from that reply that several of the countries to which Herr Hitler has recently addressed a questionnaire have no German guarantee of immunity against German aggression any more worth while than such guarantees as proved worthless in the case of Austria and Czechoslovakia?
§ Mr. ButlerThat is for them to judge. The hon. and gallant Member asked me what undertakings have been given and I have referred him to documents giving those assurances.
§ 16. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he will give particulars of the claims which have been formulated on behalf of the German Government in respect of territory or nationals not at present under German jurisidiction?
§ Mr. ButlerThe German Government have not, so far as I am aware, officially published any such claims.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it not the case that in various speeches and writings Herr Hitler has asserted German claims to all German territory lost after the War, and to control over all German nationals wherever they may reside, and must not that cause serious apprehension in the countries concerned?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. and gallant Member asked me for particulars which I think he has already seen.