“Settlement In Spain”; M.Ps. Want To Know

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1938, Page 5

“Settlement In Spain”; M.Ps. Want To Know

[British Official Wireless .] (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 25. “Settlement in Spain,” attached as a condition for bringing into operation the Rome agreement, was again the subject of questions in the House of Commons. Mr Chamberlain gave a negative answer to a question as to whether, during the negotiations, British and Italian representatives came to an understanding on what was implied by the phrase, but mentioned in another reply that since the conclusion of the agreement there had been a confidential exchange of views between the two Governments on the subject. Mr Chamberlain declared, however, that he had never committed himself to a complete or even partial definition of the phrase. A Labour member inquired if Italy was, therefore, as much In the dark as to the intentions of Britain as, according to this, a member of tin; House of Commons was. Mr Chamberlain said: “I do not know whether that is so or not. I do not know their state of mind.” Mr Wedgwood Benn (Labour, Gorton) asked if the position was that during the recess Mr Chamberlain would be at liberty to implement, the agreement by putting his own interpretation of the settlement. Mr Chamberlain replied that there was no change in the situation, and Britain was entitled to interpret the conditions which it had itself imposed. Further .pressed by the Opposition, Mr Chamberlain recalled his answer some days ago, in which he said he did not exclude the possibility that the House of Commons might be called together to consider the matter.