§ 1. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether the offer of the Government to give reciprocal assurances for the integrity and independence of Germany refer to the Reich boundaries, including Moravia, Bohemia, Slovakia, and Memel?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. It will be evident from the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 3rd May that what is in question is a reciprocal exchange of assurances of non-aggression.
§ Mr. ManderYes, but could not the right hon. Gentleman say what particular territory is to be included in that 1374 assurance? That is the point of the question.
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. There was no question of guaranteeing boundaries.
§ Mr. ManderWas there not a reference to a certain territory, and does that mean Germany as it is now, or as it was six months ago? Is not Germany entitled to know?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. There was no guarantee of boundaries.
§ 5. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister what proposals for military staff conversations between this country, France, and Russia, have been put forward in any form by the Soviet Government; and what reply has been given by the British Government?
§ 9. Mr. Rileyasked the Prime Minister whether he can now make any statement regarding the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of France and Russia, for a pact of mutual assistance against possible aggression?
§ 10. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether any reply has now been received from the Russian Government to the communication recently addressed to them by His Majesty's Government?
§ 19. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a reply from the Soviet Union to the proposals for a pact put forward by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, can he make a statement?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)My Noble Friend received a further communication from the Soviet Government on 15th May. It is now under consideration by His Majesty's Government, and I cannot at present give any details.
§ Mr. ManderWill the Prime Minister say whether the statement published in the Russian official journal "Izvestia" describing the proposals is correct or not?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot say.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennIs it correct to assume that no further discussions on the matter will take place until Lord Halifax meets M. Maisky at Geneva?
§ The Prime MinisterOh, no, Sir.
§ Mr. G. StraussWill the right hop. Gentleman be able to make a further statement on this matter during the Debate on Friday?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot say.
§ Mr. RileyIn view of the widespread desire that such a pact should be arranged, cannot the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to make a statement?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot say without notice, but it will be as soon as possible.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWill the Prime Minister not take the House into his confidence as to what is going on?
§ 11. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he will assure the House that the recent Anglo-Turkish declaration of mutual assistance in no way modifies the provisions of the Montreux Convention as regards the Turkish guardianship of the Dardanelles; and whether the said declaration would permit both Governments to co-operate with all other Mediterranean Powers in resisting aggression?
§ The Prime MinisterThe declaration which I made last week cannot modify the provisions of the Montreux Convention which is an agreement to which other countries besides the United Kingdom and Turkey are parties. The terms of the declaration do not preclude the co-operation of both Governments with other Mediterranean Powers in the event of an act of aggression leading to war in the Mediterranean area.
§ Mr. HendersonHas it been brought to the notice of the Prime Minister that it has been stated in the official German Foreign Office paper in Berlin that the Anglo-Turkish Declaration is a departure from the Montreux Convention?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot be responsible for that statement.
§ 14. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the present situation in Danzig?
§ Mr. ButlerAccording to the latest reports in the possession of my Noble Friend, the situation in Danzig is calm and calls for no special statement.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of our guarantees to Poland are His Majesty's Government in close consultation with the Polish Government regarding developments in Danzig?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Member may be satisfied that we have established close connection with the Polish Government on all matters.
§ Mr. ManderWill there be a report from the High Commissioner in Danzig to the Council at the forthcoming meeting?
§ Mr. ButlerI should require notice of that question.
§ 15. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister what information he has as to the attitude of the Polish and Rumanian Governments to the conclusion of a pact between Britain, France and Russia?
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15th May to my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby), to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. CocksHave the Government any recent information to the effect that Poland and Rumania have withdrawn any of the objections they may have had to the pact?
§ The Prime MinisterNot so far as I am aware.
§ Mr. ButlerEstimates of the strength of the Italian forces have reached His Majesty's Government from several sources, but I am not in a position to make them public.
23. Mr. Aclandasked the Prime Minister whether the position of Albania is to come up for discussion at the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva?
§ Mr. ButlerThe question of Albania is not on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the Council.
§ Mr. ManderMay I take it that Albania is still a member of the League and is able to attend any meeting that is held?
§ Mr. ButlerAlbania has indicated a desire to leave the League.
§ 24. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Prime Minister whether the Italian annexation of Albania is now recognised by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. ButlerI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26th April to the hon. and learned Member for Kings-winford (Mr. A. Henderson) to which I have at present nothing to add.