§ 29. Mr. Donnerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of recent events in Czechoslovakia, he will approach the signatories of the Treaty signed at Brussels to extend the provisions relating to mutual aid, in the event of any signatory becoming an object of attack, to include all necessary and immediate assistance as may be required against armed insurrection directed to the overthrow of the existing democratic and constitutional government in any of the participating countries.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. None of the signatories of the Treaty has at any time suggested that such an arrangement would be useful.
§ Mr. DonnerBearing in mind the view expressed by General Smuts, that the whole world can be submerged by Communism without a war, is not the lack of any such undertaking a serious omission in the Brussels Treaty?
§ Mr. MayhewI do not think that the problem is as simple as is suggested in the hon. Member's original Question. On the other hand, it would be clearly within the provisions of the Treaty for a country to bring such questions as those to which he refers immediately to the Consultative Council.
§ Mr. DonnerWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the urgency of the matter?
§ Mr. MayhewMy right hon. Friend, of course, has all that in mind.