HC Deb 16 July 1941 vol 373 cc573-4
4. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish the treaties of alliance existing between this country and Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Jugoslavia, Free France and Abyssinia?

Mr. Eden

The only treaty of alliance with any of the countries mentioned is the Anglo-Polish agreement regarding mutual assistance signed in London on 25th August, 1939, and published as Cmd. Paper 6101. It will, however, be recalled that in the resolution unanimously adopted at the Inter-Allied meeting in London on 12th June, the Governments represented were described as being engaged together in the fight against aggression, and they agreed to continue the struggle against German or Italian oppression until victory was won, and mutually to assist each other in this struggle to the utmost of their respective capacities. No formal treaties are, indeed, necessary to express the close ties of friendship which bind the Allied peoples, and which are finding expression in deeds rather than in words.

Mr. Mander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Ministry of Information stated last week that we only played the National Anthem of countries with whom we had treaties of alliance? Would he be good enough to look into the matter further and try to give accurate information to the Ministry of Information or to receive the same himself?

Mr. Eden

I do not think I have any need to look into the matter further. The position is quite clear; we do not need a formal treaty in order to be the Ally of any nation.

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of MR. RILEY: 6. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to negotiate with the Russian Soviet Government a complete military alliance in the common struggle against Nazism; and whether such an alliance is now under consideration?
Mr. Riley

After the Prime Minister's statement yesterday, I am not sure that this Question is now necessary, and I will leave it to the discretion of the Minster as to whether he gives an answer.

Mr. Eden

I intended to refer the hon. Gentleman to the Prime Minister's statement, to which I have nothing to add.