European Situation.

Oral Answers to Questions — India. – in the House of Commons at on 5 June 1939.

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Photo of Mr Reginald Fletcher Mr Reginald Fletcher , Nuneaton

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement regarding the representation of British interests in Bohemia and Moravia?

Photo of Sir Percy Harris Sir Percy Harris , Bethnal Green South West

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been arrived at about consular representation in Prague?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

My Noble Friend is in communication with other interested Governments on this matter, and I have no further statement to make at present.

Photo of Mr Reginald Fletcher Mr Reginald Fletcher , Nuneaton

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who is at the present moment looking after British interests in those countries?

Photo of Sir Percy Harris Sir Percy Harris , Bethnal Green South West

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement as to the present position in Danzig?

Photo of Mr Neville Chamberlain Mr Neville Chamberlain , Birmingham, Edgbaston

I have no special statement to make on the situation in Danzig.

Photo of Sir Percy Harris Sir Percy Harris , Bethnal Green South West

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the matter was discussed by the Foreign Secretary at Geneva when the position of the Commissioner was discussed?

Photo of Mr Neville Chamberlain Mr Neville Chamberlain , Birmingham, Edgbaston

Perhaps the hon. Baronet will put that question down.

Photo of Mr Wilfrid Roberts Mr Wilfrid Roberts , Cumberland Northern

asked the Prime Minister what has happened to the British Legation in Albania; whether there is any British representative in that country; and whether he can give an assurance that nothing has been done to recognise its annexation by Italy?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

His Majesty's Minister is still in Durazzo. On the question of the recognition of the new status of Albania, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 26th April, to which I have at present nothing to add.

Photo of Mr Wilfrid Roberts Mr Wilfrid Roberts , Cumberland Northern

May I ask in what capacity His Majesty's Minister is there at the present time?

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

Is it not time that the Government made up their minds whether they are going to recognise Albania or not? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that they will not?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I am not prepared to make a statement on that point. What I said in reply to the hon. Member for Kingswinford was that the matter will fall to be considered when the constitutional position and future relations between Italy and Albania, as well as the international position of Albania particularly in the sphere of foreign relations, become clearly defined, as they are not at present.

Photo of Mr Wilfrid Roberts Mr Wilfrid Roberts , Cumberland Northern

If we have a Minister there, surely he must be a Minister to the King of Albania, and that means we have recognised him?

Mr. David Adams:

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his public declaration before the Munich conversations that it was of great benefit for the heads of States to confer personally, he has considered, or will consider, the desirability of making an official visit to Moscow?

Photo of Mr Neville Chamberlain Mr Neville Chamberlain , Birmingham, Edgbaston

The declaration in question was, of course, subject to considerations affecting the conditions at any particular time. In present circumstances, I do not consider that the suggestion of the hon. Member would serve a useful purpose.

Mr. Adams:

As the Prime Minister, during recent negotiations, has stated that there are certain barriers between this country and Russia, does he not feel that a personal visit would remove this undesirable phenomenon?

Prime Minister

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Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.