HC Deb 28 March 1939 vol 345 cc1882-5
48. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister why a statement was made to the Press on 9th March on behalf of the Government to the effect that the international situation seemed to give less cause for anxiety than for some time past, that the Government were inclined to be optimistic, and that an arms limitation conference seemed to be within the bounds of practical politics before the end of the year?

The Prime Minister

Conversations with representatives of the Press take place from time to time at their request on matters affecting various Departments, and this practice was followed on the occasion referred to. It is left entirely to the Press themselves to make use of such conversations in their own way.

Mr. Dalton

Was the statement drafted at No. 10, Downing Street or at the Foreign Office?

The Prime Minister

No statement was drafted at all.

Mr. Dalton

Was the statement made devised at No. 10, Downing Street without consultation with the Foreign Office?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member can rest assured that there is complete harmony of view between the Foreign Office and No. 10, Downing Street.

Mr. Mander

In view of the fact that the German Army started to march three days after this declaration, can the Prime Minister explain how it was that such an extremely ill-informed statement came to be made?

The Prime Minister

I do not imagine that the German Army was in contact with the Press of this country.

Mr. Mander

Do the Government know anything?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the Prime Minister assure us that the Foreign Office was consulted before this statement was made to the Press?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir; I am not prepared to give information as to what goes on between one Department and another.

Mr. Mander

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Arthur Greenwood

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to the European situation?

The Prime Minister

I need not repeat the statement which I made last Thursday on behalf of His Majesty's Government, but I can inform the House that His Majesty's Government are actively continuing their consultations with other Governments upon the issues arising from recent events. During the progress of these consultations, the House will appreciate that it is essential that their confidential character should be respected, and hon. Members will not, I trust, press me to make statements which could not in any case be complete, until we are in possession of the final views of the other Governments concerned.

Mr. Greenwood

While one realises the difficulties of complete disclosure at this stage, in view of the general uneasiness which I think there is in this country and in the House, would it be possible, for the enlightenment of the public here and the public abroad and of certain other Powers, for the right hon. Gentleman to go just a little bit further to remove the apprehensions that there are in the minds of Members in all parts of the House, as to whether the Declaration which has been submitted to certain Powers is one merely for consultation, or whether it is one which is a policy of mutual aid which might involve military commitments? If the House could have some guidance on that matter it might feel more at rest than it is at this time.

The Prime Minister

I quite appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's desire to have as much information as possible, and particularly to remove what he, I think, rightly describes as misapprehensions. He will appreciate, on the other hand, that it is extremely difficult and delicate to throw all the cards on the table while the game is not yet complete. It will, at any rate, be readily understood, from what I have said previously, that what the Government have in mind goes a great deal further than consultation. I do not think I should like to go any further into details at this moment.

Mr. Dalton

May I take note of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, that what the Government have in mind goes further than consultation? Have the Government made clear the contents of their minds to those foreign Powers with whom they have communicated, and particularly has it been made clear to Poland that His Majesty's Government would be willing, in conjunction with other great Powers, to come to Poland's assistance if she is to be the next victim of German aggression?

The Prime Minister

I think I must still maintain a certain reserve on this matter. I will say this, that the Government have made perfectly clear to the other Governments with whom they are in consultation what His Majesty's Government are prepared to do in certain circumstances.

Sir P. Harris

While recognising the very delicate negotiations that are going on, can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking at the earliest possible moment to arrange for a discussion, when he is in a position to make a full statement?

The Prime Minister

I realise that the House is entitled to have information at the earliest possible moment when that information can be given to it. It is obviously impossible for me to name a date just now. It is likely that before the Easter recess the House will desire to have a discussion in any case. Certainly if we are in a position usefully to contribute to a discussion before then, I shall take steps to see that such discussion takes place.

Mr. Greenwood

May I assume that the right hon. Gentleman will take every possible step to speed up the negotiations that are taking place, and may I assume quite definitely that perhaps at a very early date the House will want a discussion of the position?

The Prime Minister

I appreciate that, but I would like to assure the right hon. Gentleman and the House generally that the Government fully realise the urgency of this matter and the desirability of coming to a conclusion at the earliest possible moment. At the same time it will be realised that there is more than one Government involved, and that the issue is not solely in the hands of His Majesty's Government.