HC Deb 10 May 1939 vol 347 cc450-2
5. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the interests of peace, he will consider proposing to the German Government an arrangement with the German and British Press by which official reasoned statements of the respective policies of the German and the British Governments should be published simultaneously and recurrently in the Press of both countries, or whether he has considered, or will consider, alternative means of securing mutual popular consideration of governmental and national policies?

Mr. Butler

Official German statements already receive full publicity in the British Press, and His Majesty's Government would naturally welcome arrangements for adequate publicity to be given in the German Press to official British statements. His Majesty's Government are ready to consider any practical suggestions, but I doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by acting on the hon. Member's proposal.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least consider its advisability? Although it may be a novel idea, will he consider it sympathetically? If this arrangement could be adopted, would it not be a valuable means of obtaining publicity in the German Press of our pacific intentions in this country?

Mr. Butler

I appreciate the value of the suggestion, and it will continue to receive our close consideration.

Mr. Bellenger

Is it not much more important that the German Government should consider this?

Mr. Butler

That is precisely one of the difficulties.

Mr. Thurtle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the German Government has no intention of allowing its people to know the truth?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir, I could not generally accept that.

7. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the recent negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Turkish Government?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

I hope to be able to make a statement very shortly, but at present I cannot add anything to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) on 3rd May.

Mr. Henderson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to delay making a statement about these negotiations with Turkey until the discussions with the Russian Government have been concluded?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

11. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister what reply has been received from Germany to the British Government's offer to guarantee Germany against aggression; and whether the offer has been conveyed through diplomatic channels?

The Prime Minister

What I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 3rd May was that His Majesty's Government would certainly be ready to consider proposals for an exchange of reciprocal assurances with the German Government. This offer has not been conveyed through the diplo- matic channel and His Majesty's Government have not received any communications from the German Government on the subject.

Mr. Mander

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the territorial boundary which the British Government would be prepared to consider guaranteeing would include or not the new Czecho-Slovakian areas recently seized by Germany?

The Prime Minister

That is a hypothetical question.