HC Deb 24 March 1939 vol 345 cc1595-6
Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the European situation?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)

I only received notice of this Question within the last few minutes. It is, of course, quite natural that the Leader of the Opposition should put the Question, but I have no further statement that I can make at the moment.

Mr. Attlee

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will be in a position to make a full statement on Monday with regard to the position both in Rumania and Slovakia? May I also ask, can he indicate at all whether the Prime Minister will be in a position on Monday to make any statement with regard to negotiations with other Powers.

Sir J. Simon

I am sure the Prime Minister has all these matters very much in mind. He has already told the House that he will make a statement at the earliest moment. I do not think the Leader of the Opposition will ask me to say more than that now, but we will take full note of what he has said.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Is Colonel Beck's visit still to take place?

Mr. Attlee

I will put a Question on Monday.

Mr. Bellenger

Although nobody would want to press the Chancellor to make a statement unless it is in the public interest to do so, may I urge upon him the necessity of the Prime Minister making a very early statement, in view of the pace at which events are moving and the extreme danger which may occur to British interests in the near future?