HC Deb 02 August 1939 vol 350 cc2349-50
8. Mr. Duncan

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the speech, on 30th July, by the Swedish Foreign Minister in which he said that Swedish interests would be seriously affected if agreements were arrived at by great Powers which conflicted with the avowed principle of the northern countries not to let themselves be objects of combinations in power politics; and will he bear this Swedish attitude in mind when considering the conclusion of an Anglo- Soviet pact in addition to the views already expressed by representatives of Finland and other Baltic States?

Mr. Butler

I have seen a Press report of the speech. As the House has already been informed, His Majesty's Government are taking into account the views and interests of other States. I may add that there is no question of imposing a guarantee of these States or of making them the objects of combinations in power politics. But as has become apparent in the course of the present negotiations, the violation of the independence or neutrality of any one of these States would be a matter of vital interest to the three Governments concerned.

Mr. Duncan

Is it not clear from that answer that it is not a problem only of Finland, as suggested by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton), but nearly all the Scandinavian countries?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. It is a problem of the Baltic States.