§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether he can now 420 make any statement regarding the communication received from the King of the Belgians and the Queen of Holland?
§ Sir S. HoareI have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have been considering with the care which its importance demands the communication addressed by Their Majesties the Queen of the Netherlands and the King of the Belgians to His Majesty The King as well as to the President of the French Republic and to the German Chancellor. His Majesty's Government deeply appreciate the motives which have led the two Sovereigns to make this communication. While past experience does not enable us to be very hopeful of a satisfactory response from the German Chancellor, we have no desire to continue the war for a day longer than is necessary if a satisfactory settlement can be reached in another way. In due course it will be the duty of His Majesty's Government to tender to His Majesty their advice as to the nature of the reply he should make, but before they can do so it will naturally be necessary to consult with the Dominions and with our friends and Allies.