§ 20. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Anglo-Italian Agreement to maintain the status quo in the Mediterranean, he has any 2274 statement to make on the recently signed German-Italian military alliance; and whether the Italian Government have at any time recently suggested the negotiation of their differences with France?
§ The Prime MinisterFrom the published text of the agreement signed on 22nd May between the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Italy and Germany, there does not seem to be any provision that could be held to be inconsistent with Italy's obligations under the declaration of 2nd January, 1937, which was reaffirmed in the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 16th April, 1938. I am not in a position to make any statement as to what may or may not have passed between the Italian and French Governments on the subject referred to in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. HendersonIs the Prime Minister aware of the statement made by the German Foreign Secretary on the occasion of the signing of this treaty namely, that it was a reply to the democratic war inciters, and will he not again take an opportunity of making it plain that His Majesty's Government are prepared to cooperate with any country which will observe the rules of international law and justice?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that alters what I have said in my answer.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherDoes it not appear that this so-called German-Italian military alliance is only a euphemistic way of saying that the Italian army has been placed under German control?