London, Feb, 17.
The British and French Governments have instructed their ambassadors in Berlin to approach the German Government with a request for information on events in Austria and to state that the two Powers are far from being disinterested in the position' of the Federal Republic.
It is emphasized here that there has been no question of a joint Anglo-French demarche. All that has been done, as far as the British are concerned, is to ask for information.
The reconstruction of the Austrian Cabinet was raised at question time in the House of Commons yesterday When Mr. Anthony Eden, the Foreign Secretary, said ne understood there were other provisions made in the Berchtesgaden agreement than those published in the press communique.
Pending the issue of the text of ihe new Austro-German Agreement, however, he was not in a position io make a statement, but ihe Government was closely following developments.
Questioned by a Labour member whether the Government adhered to the joint declaration of 1934 reaffirming the complete independence of Austria, Mr. Eden replied:
"It the Stresa Declaration is meant, that was between Great Britain, France and Italy, Italy has yet consulted the British Government in the matter."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.