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he will be—as well as the assistance of the Czechoslovakian
Government. Lord Runciman was a Member of this House so
long that he is well known to many hon. Members. I think
they will agree with me that he has outstanding personal
qualifications for the task he has undertaken. He has a long
experience of public affairs and of men of all sorts and condi-
tions. He is characterised by fearlessness, freedom from
prejudice, integrity and impartiality, and I am quite certain
that everyone here will wish him all success."
mr. bellenger : " The right hon. Gentleman has stated
that Lord Runciman will go in quite a personal capacity,
entirely unconnected with His Majesty's Government. Do
I understand that his position is only acceptable as long as both
sides agree to accept him as an arbitrator, or adviser—the
Czechoslovakian Government and the Henlein party ? "
the prime minister : " I think the hon. Gentleman is
under a misapprehension. Lord Runciman is not in any sense
an arbitrator/*
mr.bellenger: "Anadviser."
the prime minister : " He is an investigator and mediator
—that is what I called him. He will try to acquaint himself
with all the facts and the views of the two sides, and he will
no doubt see them separately, and perhaps later on he will be
able to make some proposals to them which will help them.
He is in the position, so well known to the hon. Member, of
a man who goes down to assist in settling a strike. He has
to see two sides who have come to a point when they cannot
go any further. He is there as an independent, impartial
person."
mr. bellenger; "Acceptable to both sides in the
dispute ? "
the prime minister : " That is Lord Runciman's stipula-
tion, and obviously a necessary one. If one side declare that
they will have nothing to do with him, it will be quite
impossible for him to undertake the task."
mr. churchill : " Have both sides agreed ? "
the prime minister : " We have not heard from the
Sudeten Germans."
Miss wilkinson: "Could we hear that personal ex-
change ? "