§ 2.43 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether M. Mendès-France's abstention from discussion of the European Defence Community by the other countries concerned has been accompanied by the suggestion of any feasible alternative.]
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, to the best of my knowledge, M. Mendès-France has suggested no alternative. M. Mendès-France did indicate on June 30, that in his view it would be useful to have a meeting of the European Defence Community countries as soon as the French Government have made clear their position in the light of the studies which they are at present undertaking.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMay I ask the noble Marquess whether it could be conveyed to the French Government that any alternative which jettisons the safeguards of the European Defence Community would be viewed with considerable apprehension by many of us here?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGI am sure the noble Lord will remember that more recently President Eisenhower and 459 my right honourable friend the Prime Minister, after their recent meeting in Washington, stated their conviction that further delay in the entry into force of the European Defence Community and the Bonn Treaties would impair the position of the Atlantic Nations.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, would the noble Marquess take note of the fact that there is in this country a growing feeling of resentment about the way in which France has been treated? France has been our friend and Ally for over fifty years, and is the pioneer of liberty in Europe; and she is not getting a fair deal in these international interchanges.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, I will take note of the fact that that is the noble Viscount's opinion.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEWell, that will do.