HC Deb 01 March 1939 vol 344 cc1229-30
2. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister the precise terms of the official communication issued by the Foreign Office on 26th September, 1938, with reference to co-operation between Great Britain, France, and Russia, against German aggression?

Mr. Butler

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the text of this statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Mander

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to read it out?

Mr. Butler

I do not want to waste the time of the House.

Mr. Mander

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say why no steps were taken to make such co-operation with Russia effective, in view of the willingness of the Government at the last moment to act with her?

Mr. Butler

I am afraid I cannot make a statement on general policy in answer to a question.

Following is the statement: It is stated in official quarters that during the last week Mr. Chamberlain has tried with the German Chancellor to find the way of settling peacefully the Czecho-Slovak question. It is still possible to do so by negotiation. The German claim to the transfer of the Sudeten areas has already been conceded by the French, British and Czecho-Slovak Governments. But, if in spite of all efforts made by the British Prime Minister, a German attack is made upon Czecho-Slovakia, the immediate result must be that France will be found to come to her assistance, and Great Britain and Russia will certainly stand by France. It is still not too late to stop this great tragedy and for the peoples of all nations to insist on settlement by free negotiation.