HC Deb 10 July 1939 vol 349 cc1784-6
10. Sir William Davison

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the German propaganda campaign with regard to the alleged danger to Germany of encirclement on British initiative, he will make it clear to the German Government and people that any guarantees given by Great Britain of assistance in the event of aggression to other States are also available to Germany should she so desire?

Mr. Butler

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. and learned Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 3rd May and to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 10th and 17th May, which stated the attitude of His Majesty's Government on this question.

Sir W. Davison

Can my right hon. Friend ask the German Government how is it possible for Germany to have any anxiety with regard to the alleged danger of encirclement, if she receives a guarantee from Great Britain and France that, in the event of any aggression by any of the Powers adjoining her, they will go to her assistance? Cannot we have an answer from Germany on that very important point?

Mr. Butler

I can speak only for the British Government and I would remind my hon. Friend that the Prime Minister's answers on previous occasions referred to possible exchanges of reciprocal assurances.

32. Marquess of Clydesdale

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a suggestion to Herr Hitler that the methods adopted to settle the problem of the South Tyrol, by the removal of the German population to Germany or Southern Italy, might well be employed in settling the problem of Danzig by a similar removal to Germany or South Poland; and will he also suggest to Signor Mussolini that these principles might be applied in the case of Tunis?

Mr. Butler

Official information of the methods for dealing with this question is not available. My Noble Friend is, therefore, unable to form any view as to whether they would be applicable to the problems of Danzig and Tunisia.

Marquess of Clydesdale

Does the Prime Minister agree that such an arrangement would be infinitely' prefer- able to the people of Danzig to a war of which they would be the centre? May I further ask him whether he will remind Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini that by their settlement of the South Tyrol, where alone in Europe a simple frontier revision is possible, they have not got a leg to stand on in demanding territory else where?

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Can we be assured that these very important considerations will be borne in mind?

Mr. Butler

Any such important considerations will be borne in mind, but I should require to have more detailed information as to how this transfer is taking place and the method adopted before I could suggest a general application for it.

Mr. Lipson

Have the Government taken steps to secure that information?