§ Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the declaration of the Assembly of the League of Nations on 11th March, 1932, to the effect that it is incumbent upon the members of the League of Nations not to recognise any situation, treaty, or agreement which may be brought about by means contrary to the Covenant of the League of Nations or to the Pact of Paris; and whether His Majesty's Government still accept this statement of their international obligations?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will recall that he asked a similar question on 16th December, 1936, referring on that occasion to a declaration by the Committee of 12 members of the Council on the 16th February, 1932. The declaration of the Assembly of 11th March, 1932, was of a similar character. As was stated by the then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 16th December, 1936, His Majesty's Government adhere to the principle enunciated in these declarations, which were made in connection with the particular case of the Sino-Japanese dispute. But the Secretary of State went on to indicate that in its application to any case His Majesty's Government must be entitled to take account of the facts of the situation and of the necessity of adequately protecting British interests. Any such action on their part would not imply approval of the methods by which the situation was brought about. These views still correctly represent the attitude of His Majesty's Government on this subject.