§ 5. Mr. Boothbyasked the Prime Minister whether he can give any further information regarding the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?
9. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Prime Minister whether he will now indicate the willingness of His Majesty's Government to conclude a military pact of reciprocal guarantee embracing France, Russia, and Great Britain?
§ 11. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister particulars of the way in which the proposals received from the Union of Soviet 960 Socialist Republics differ from those submitted to them by His Majesty's Government?
§ 25. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have received any proposal for a joint non-aggression pact between Russia, France, and Britain, or between Russia, France, Britain, and Turkey, or between Russia, France, Britain, Turkey, and Poland; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?
§ 26. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will consider approaching the French Government with a view to giving a joint guarantee to defend the independence and integrity of Soviet Russia against aggression?
§ 31. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the official statements issued from Moscow, he will now state the nature of the Soviet Union's proposals which were rejected by His Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)His Majesty's Government are now awaiting a further communication from the Soviet Government, and I cannot at present amplify the statement which I made on 10th May. My Noble Friend, who will be attending the forthcoming session of the Council of the League of Nations, which opens on 22nd May hopes to have an opportunity of pursuing conversations with the Soviet representative on that occasion.
§ Mr. BoothbyIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the exchange of memoranda through the ordinary diplomatic channels, is the best method of conducting these negotiations under existing conditions; and can we have an assurance that the negotiations will be continued by direct personal contact between the representatives of the two Governments?
§ Mr. DayCan the Prime Minister say whether a defence pact that would be fully reciprocal has been proposed by other nations?
§ The Prime MinisterI have said that I cannot amplify my previous statement.
Mr. V. AdamsCan my right hon. Friend say whether the agreement with Turkey will not facilitate an understanding with Russia?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot say.
§ Mr. G. StraussCan the right hon. Gentleman say why he is unable to give, in broad outline, the proposals of the Soviet Government for a comprehensive security pact with this country; and does he not feel that this country is entitled to know what such a proposal is, since the safety of the people largely depends upon it?
§ The Prime MinisterI have said on a number of occasions that I do not think that these negotiations are facilitated by discussions taking place in public as to the particular stage which the negotiations have reached.
§ Mr. StraussHave not these proposals been turned down?
§ Mr. CocksDo not the Government think that the conclusion of a pact would be the best way of preventing altogether any kind of aggression in Europe; and, in reply to my Question No. 26, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that such a guarantee would help to consolidate the peace front in Eastern Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot discuss these matters until I am in a position to give further information.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-TroyteCan my right hon. Friend say why so many people on the other side want to make these negotiations impossible?
§ 6. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to recognise Slovakia as an independent State?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)In order to facilitate the conduct of normal business His Majesty's Consul at Bratislava has, on my Noble Friend's instructions, sought and obtained from the Slovak Government recognition as His Majesty's Consul for Slovakia. The Slovak Government have been informed that His Majesty's Government regard this step as amounting to de facto recognition.
§ Mr. HendersonAre the Government satisfied that the Government of Slovakia are quite independent of political control from other quarters?
§ Mr. ButlerI have given the hon. and learned Member the answer to his ques- 962 tion, which is that we have given them de facto recognition.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherDo His Majesty's Government propose to recognise the de facto annexation of Italy by Germany?
§ 10. Mr. Boothbyasked the Prime Minister whether the Governments of Poland or Rumania have made any formal objection to the conclusion of a pact of mutual assistance between this country and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?
§ The Prime MinisterThe views of the Polish and Rumanian Governments have not been given formal shape, but their general attitude towards the negotiations which His Majesty's Government are conducting with the Soviet Government is known, both as a result of the visits of the Polish and Rumanian Foreign Ministers to this country and through diplomatic channels. It would certainly be inappropriate for me to disclose the views which have been thus expressed, more particularly as the recent visits of the Assistant Commissar for Foreign Affairs to Bucharest and Warsaw will have given an opportunity for an exchange of views between the representatives of the Soviet Government on the one hand and of the Rumanian and Polish Governments on the other.
§ Mr. BoothbyMay we take it that there is no objection in principle to the conclusion of some form of agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-TroyteIs not this another of those questions which are likely to make the conclusion of successful negotiations difficult?
§ 27. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister what obligations have His Majesty's Government to defend Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania against aggression; and whether, in the event of Russia being involved in war as a result of defending any of the States against aggression, His Majesty's Government are under obligation to come to the aid of Russia?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government are under no obligations to these States except such as may derive from their membership of the League of Nations. I 963 can add nothing to the statement made earlier to-day by the Prime Minister on the progress of Anglo-Soviet discussions.
§ Mr. CocksArising out of the answer to the second part of my question, will the Government consider closing this obvious gap in the peace front, thus securing the co-operation of Russia by removing one of the objections to the British proposals recently formulated on behalf of that Government?
§ Mr. ButlerI cannot add anything to the statement made, but naturally all such matters will come under review.
§ Mr. BossomIs my right hon. Friend aware of the invaluable aid given by Great Britain to these small countries when they got their independence in 1919, and will he keep this matter in mind in the negotiations with Russia?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennWhen the right hon. Gentleman says we have no obligations to them, has he overlooked our position as a guarantor of Memel?
§ Mr. ButlerThe answer which I gave originally represents the position.
§ Mr. BennThat is to say, the Government, have not recognised any obligation as a joint guarantor with other Powers for Memel?
§ Mr. A. HendersonIs it not a fact that the Government have obligations to all these countries under the provisions of the League Covenant?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I have said several times to-day, my original answer said that.
§ 29. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether any communication was made by the German Government to His Majesty's Government prior to the denunciation by Germany of the German-Polish Agreement?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it not without precedent for a Government to denounce an agreement of this nature without consultation with the Governments upon whom it laid some responsibility for the denunciation, and it is not impossible to carry on international relations under such conditions?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I have an answer?
§ Mr. ButlerI cannot say whether there is any exact precedent, but I have given the answer to the hon. and gallant Member's question, which was that no communication was made to us.
§ Mr. DaltonIs it not a violation of the agreement signed by the Prime Minister and Herr Hitler that there would be consultation on all such matters?
§ 53. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make respecting the recent conversations with Monsignor Godfrey and the Vatican proposals for peace in Europe; whether he will inform the House of the precise proposals of the Vatican; and whether he has any statement to make respecting their reception by Germany and Italy?
§ Mr. ButlerI have been asked to reply. I have no statement to make on the subject. As the hon. Member will doubtless have seen in the Press, "His Holiness has not made any formal proposals. The last part of this question does not, therefore, arise. I can assure the House, however, that His Majesty's Government are naturally most sympathetic to any steps which His Holiness may think can usefully be taken with a view to furthering the interests of world peace.
§ Mr. SorensenHave His Majesty's Government been in touch, or are they likely to be in touch, with the Vatican, regarding this matter?
§ Mr. ButlerWe should be interested to receive any communication from His Holiness, but His Holiness has not made any proposals.