Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 30 July 1934.
Sir Geoffrey Mander
, Wolverhampton East
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state whether a special meeting of the Council of the League of Nations is to be called to consider the situation in Austria?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
I am not aware of any intention to call such a meeting.
Sir Geoffrey Mander
, Wolverhampton East
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance, if it should prove necessary, of the matter being dealt with through the League and not being left to one or two individual States?
Mr Frederick Cocks
, Broxtowe
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received either from the Italian Government or the Austrian Government, a copy of the evidence furnished by the Austrian Government to the Italian Government containing proofs that Nazi outrages in Austria are being inspired by or from Germany; and whether he will take steps in conjunction with other Governments to warn the German Government that these outrages must cease?
Sir Godfrey Nicholson
, Morpeth
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have made plain to the parties implicated their point of view concerning the continued foreign propaganda in Austria and the interference in Austrian internal affairs which have culminated in the murder of Dr. Dollfuss?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
In February last, and again recently, I received from the Austrian Government a collection of material indicating the complicity of German influence in propaganda against the Austrian Government and in a series of outrages committed on Austrian territory. This material was also communicated by the Austrian Government to the Italian and French Governments. In acknowledging the receipt of this communication, I informed the Austrian Minister that
while His Majesty's Government have no intention whatever of interfering in the internal affairs of another country, they fully recognise the right of Austria to demand that there should be no interference with her internal affairs from any other quarter.
I read the text of this reply to the House on the 13th February. The views of His Majesty's Government on this matter, abstaining from interference ourselves and reprobating interference by others, remain unchanged.
Mr Frederick Cocks
, Broxtowe
Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to answer the last sentence of my question?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
His Majesty's Government's view is well known, and what I have said will, no doubt, have its effect.
Sir Godfrey Nicholson
, Morpeth
Has the right hon. Gentleman made a direct protest to the German Government and an expression of reprobation?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
Having regard to the great sense of responsibility which must attach to anyone who puts or answers questions, I would prefer that the hon. Member should put a question on the Paper.
Sir Godfrey Nicholson
, Morpeth
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House the latest information at his disposal concerning the state of affairs in Austria?
Mr Morgan Jones
, Caerphilly
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any further statement to make in relation to the situation in Austria?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
A new Austrian Government was formed early this morning, in which Dr. Schuschnigg is Chancellor and Prince Starhemberg Vice-Chancellor. The latest reports appear to indicate that the insurrection is now at an end, though sporadic fighting with the insurgents may still be going on in one or two outlying districts.
Sir Godfrey Nicholson
, Morpeth
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps His Majesty's Government are taking and propose to take to preserve the independence of Austria?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
His Majesty's Government are continuing to watch the situation carefully, but no action on their part is either called for or in contemplation.
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