HC Deb 09 July 1941 vol 373 cc143-5
2. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make about the position of Sweden and Finland; and whether he will make it clear that in the final peace settlement the actions of those who have directly or indirectly assisted the enemy will be taken into account?

Mr. Eden

I have at present nothing to add to the answers which I gave to Questions last week on the subject of our relations with Sweden and Finland.

Mr. Mander

Will the right hon. Gentleman not make it perfectly clear that people cannot have it both ways, and that at the peace settlement we shall remember those who have been our friends and not forget those who have lined up with the enemy?

Mr. Eden

I think it is a good rule to deal with the future when that time comes.

Mr. Hannah

Is it not most necessary, in this matter, to keep an eye on American opinion?

9. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on relations with Finland and on the treatment by the Finnish Government of British subjects in Finland, including the 120 British volunteers who left this country to help Finland last year?

Mr. Eden

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 2nd July about the relations of His Majestys Government with Finland. Apart from a few incidents, which appear to have been due to the presence or activities of German armed forces in Finland, I have received no complaints regarding the treatment by the Finnish Government of British subjects in that country. The Finnish authorities have now at their own expense arranged for the transfer of the British volunteers to Sweden, where they arrived safely on 1st July.

12. Mr. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information that Finnish armed forces, by the authority of their Government, are fighting side by side with German forces against Russia on Russian territory; whether His Majestys Consul-General in Helsinki has been compelled by the Finnish Government to quit Finland; and whether he has any statement to make as to the relations between Finland and Great Britain?

Mr. Eden

Finnish forces have taken part in hostilities on Soviet territory. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the third part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 2nd July.

Mr. Silverman

Are we to understand, from that answer, that Finland is now acting as an ally of Germany in the war proceeding between Germany and Russia, and that His Majestys Government have no comment whatever to make on that fact?

Mr. Eden

I shall be quite content if the hon. Member will understand the position that I have previously set out.

Mr. Hannah

Does my right hon. Friend realise the enormous importance of the Scandinavian population in the most isolationist part of the United States?

Mr. Neil Maclean

What becomes of the Prime Minister's statement that he who is not with us is against us?

Mr. Eden

I do not see any incompatibility between that statement and the one I have made.