HC Deb 24 April 1940 vol 360 cc179-81
3. Mr. Thorne

asked the Prime Minister what military alliances, involving mutual guarantees, Great Britain has with other countries; and what military alliances, involving similar guarantees, France, Russia, Germany and Italy have with other countries?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given, by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 17th January last. Since that date His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the French Government issued a solemn declaration on 28th March, the text of which was communicated to the House on 2nd April.

I will, with permission, circulate the reply to the second part of the Question in the Official Report.

Mr. Thorne

Shall I find all the information in that reply?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

Following is the reply:

France.

A list of certain treaties to which France is a party was contained in a reply given to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 30th November, 1938. France is also a party to the Treaty of Mutual Assistance between the United Kingdom, France and Turkey of 19th October, 1939, and to the solemn declaration issued by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the French Government on 28th March last.

Soviet Union.

In addition to the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton mentioned above, the Soviet Union has mutual assistance treaties with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Germany and Italy.

Italy concluded a military alliance involving mutual guarantees with Germany on 22nd May, 1939.

46. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that, in the event of further aggression against neutral European States, the overseas possessions of such States will not be permitted to be used as bases for enemy action?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

In the hypothetical circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, such action would be taken as the interests of Allied security required.

Mr. Mander

May I assume that it will be taken with the Government's usual resolute determination?