HC Deb 22 March 1944 vol 398 cc830-1
9. Mr. Granville

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the date when the Allied Advisory Council for Italy was constituted, with its full membership; the names of the present representatives; and whether frequent meetings have been held and recommendations forwarded to the allied Governments or military commanders.

Mr. Eden

The Advisory Council for Italy which was established as a result of decisions reached at the Three-Power Conference in Moscow in October last was composed in the first instance of representatives of the United States and Soviet Governments, the French Committee of National Liberation and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The first meeting of the Council with representatives of the above mentioned Governments and of the French Committee of National Liberation was held on 30th November last. As foreshadowed in the announcement made at the close of the Moscow Conference representatives of the Government of Greece and Yugoslavia were subsequently added to the Council. The first 'meeting of the enlarged Council, at which representatives of the Greek and Yugoslav Governments were present, was held on 18th February last. In all eight meetings of the Advisory Council have been held since its establishment and recommendations on numerous matters affecting Italy have been forwarded to the Governments concerned and to the French Committee of National Liberation as well as to the Supreme Allied Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean. I am circulating the names of the representatives on the Council in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Granville

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his full and informative answer, may I ask whether the recognition of the Badoglio Government will come within the scope of this Committee, whether it was discussed and whether any decisions were taken, and recommendations made to the Allied Governments?

Mr. Eden

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that on the Paper, as it is rather a long supplementary question. I can certainly say that there was no recommendation from this Council to the Governments concerned that there should be a resumption of diplomatic relations with the Badoglio Government.

Sir A. Southby

When my right hon. Friend says "representatives of the Yugoslav Government," does he mean the Government of King Peter now in London, or the Tito Provisional Government?

Mr. Eden

I mean, of course, the Yugoslav Government recognised by the Allied Governments, which is the Government at present in Cairo.

Following are the names:

The names of the present representatives on the Advisory Council for Italy who have deputies to act for them in their absence are: