HC Deb 28 February 1940 vol 357 cc2039-40
8. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether the Governments of Norway and Sweden have, in accordance with the recent decisions of the Council and Assembly of the League of Nations in connection with the conflict between Russia and Finland, expressed their willingness, in accordance with Article 16, Section 3, of the Covenant, to take the necessary steps to afford passage through their territory to the forces of any of the members of the League of Nations who are co-operating to protect the covenants of the League of Nations?

Mr. Butler

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Swedish delegate at Geneva on 15th December, 1939, reported in paragraph 23 of Command Paper 6160.

Mr. Mander

Can the Under-Secretary say whether that statement did in fact accept this obligation of the Covenant?

Mr. Butler

If the hon. Member will refer to the Command Paper in question, he will see that the Swedish delegate, speaking on behalf of the delegations of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, declared that they made every reservation in so far as the Resolution involved any measure coming within the scope of the system of sanctions.

Mr. Mander

Would it not be a serious breach of international law and treaty obligations if any country such as Norway and Sweden were to refuse to carry out the Covenant?

Mr. Butler

As a matter of accuracy, the Resolution adopted on the occasion of the Assembly of the Council contained no reference to Paragraph 3 of Article 16 of the Covenant.

Mr. A. Henderson

Is it not a fact that the Swedish Government are affording considerable assistance to Finland?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir.