Oral Answers to Questions — Saar Plebiscite (Maintenance of Order).

– in the House of Commons at on 15 November 1934.

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Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

67.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of offering to associate a small number of British troops with the main body of the French, for whom arrangements are already in existence, to go to the assistance of the governing commission of the Saar for the suppression of any invasion of the territory, in order to emphasise the fact by a token British military contribution that the action taken is on behalf of the League of Nations and in fulfilment of a collective obligation?

Photo of Mr Anthony Eden Mr Anthony Eden , Warwick and Leamington

No, Sir. As my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, informed the right hon. Gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, on the 5th November, there has never been any question of the use of British troops to assist in the maintenance of order in the Saar territory; and nothing of the sort on our part is contemplated. I should add that a situation in which the Saar Governing Commission found itself unable to maintain order ought not to occur and I trust will never occur.

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Is it not a fact that if French troops had to be moved into the Saar, they would be acting to some extent as our representatives as this country is a member of the Council of the League of Nations, and is there not a very strong moral obligation on our part to support them in every way?

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon South

Why is it necessary for us to be landed in every conceivable war, as would be the case by compliance with the hon. Member's request?