HC Deb 15 February 1939 vol 343 cc1703-4
5. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether provision has been made for the minorities treaties to continue in force in those areas transferred by recent frontier changes to new sovereignties from Czecho-Slovakia; and what is the position in this respect?

Mr. Butler

The position of the Czech minority in the Sudeten areas ceded to Germany is regulated by the German-Czecho-Slovak Declaration of 20th November last regarding the protection of respective national minorities. This declaration provides for the establishment of a mixed Governmental Commission to regulate questions affecting the national character of the Czech minority in Germany and of the German minority in Czecho-Slovakia. So far as my Noble Friend is aware, the Czecho-Slovak minorities in the territories ceded to Poland and Hungary enjoy the same rights as other national minorities in those countries.

Mr. Mander

Is it not clear that the minorities treaties drawn up at the time of the Peace Conference are no longer binding in those particular territories?

Mr. Butler

To take as an example the minorities in Hungary, their position is regulated by Articles 54 to 60 of the Treaty of Trianon.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the obligations of the minorities treaties are accepted by Germany in accordance with the usual practice in international law of the succession of obligations?

Mr. Butler

I have explained that the position of Germany is governed by the declaration of 20th November last.