§ 4. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent pressure has been brought to bear on the Bonomi Government, either by His Majesty's Government acting alone or in collaboration with the U.S.A. Government, with the object of influencing them towards the maintenance of the monarchical system in Italy.
§ Mr. EdenNo pressure has been brought to bear on the Bonomi Government by the Allied Governments with the object of influencing them towards the maintenance of the monarchical system in 699 Italy. It is, however, the opinion of the Governments represented on the Advisory Council for Italy that the question of the continuance of the monarchy in Italy cannot be decided until Italy has been liberated and the whole Italian people is in a position to express its views. This opinion was conveyed to the Bonomi Government and has been accepted by it.
§ Mr. BellengerThen we may assume from that answer that, as far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, they allow complete freedom to the properly constituted Government of Italy to decide their own Constitution?
§ Mr. EdenNot only His Majesty's Government, but what the Advisory Council—which consists of the Allies mainly concerned—said was that, in their view, this question should be settled when the whole of Italy has been freed, and that view has been accepted by the Italian Government.