§ 20. Mr. Sandysasked the Prime Minister, whether, since the recognition by His Majesty's Government of the government of Slovakia, the French Government have accorded similar recognition.
§ Mr. ButlerNot so far as my noble Friend is aware.
§ Mr. SandysCan my right hon. Friend say whether this recognition by Great Britain of the new government of Slovakia 2687 was done with the approval of the French Government which was a co-guarantor of the independence of Czecho-Slovakia?
§ Mr. ButlerThe French Government were approached before we took action for the de facto recognition of Slovakia, but their approval was not obtained.
§ Mr. R. AclandThe right hon. Gentleman said his noble Friend was not aware of whether the French Government had given recognition. Would it be possible for the French Government to have done so without His Majesty's Government being aware of it, and would it not have been better for the right hon. Gentleman just to have said "No"?
§ Mr. ButlerI have given the answer that, as far as my noble Friend is aware, the French Government have not recognised the new Government. Recent information in our possession inclines us to the belief that they have not done so.
§ Mr. SandysWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the approval of the French Government was not obtained, does he mean that they would not approve or that they disapproved, or that they gave no answer at all?
§ Mr. ButlerI must not be pressed by my hon. Friend. I have said that we approached the French Government and informed them of the course of action which we proposed to take. It was a matter for decision by His Majesty's Government. The decision was taken by His Majesty's Government, and no approval by the French Government was obtained.
§ 21. Mr. Sandysasked the Prime Minister whether the Czecho-Slovak Legation in London were consulted about or have since been informed of the recognition by Mis Majesty's Government of the Government of Slovakia?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Mr. SandysIs it not almost without precedent for His Majesty's Government to recognise a new Government in a foreign country, and not to consult with or inform the accredited representatives of that country in London?
§ Mr. ButlerThis step was taken in order to facilitate the conduct of normal business and to protect British interests. In the circumstances, my noble Friend did 2688 not consider it necessary to inform the Czecho-Slovak Legation.
§ Mr. BennDid not the Government inform the House when questioned upon this matter that the status of the Czechoslovak Legation in London would remain unaffected?
§ Mr. ButlerThe status remains unaffected. Our action in this matter was taken solely in order to assist British interests. The Czecho-Slovak Legation have taken no action.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the German Government were informed?
§ Mr. ButlerWell, they got to know.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderWhy was it thought necessary to take action in this way in order to protect British interests in this case when it was not thought necessary to take similar action in the case of Manchukuo? Why this distinction?
§ Mr. ButlerThe procedure taken in this case was taken in order that His Majesty's consul could obtain an exequatur so that British business could be transacted and communications maintained with the Government in British interests. I think, therefore, the action was justified in this case.