14. Mr. SANDY'Sasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are, in association with other leading European Powers, still endeavouring to promote a system of closer economic co-operation between the succession States; and, if so, what progress has been made?
§ Sir J. SIMONHis Majesty's Government view with sympathy the effort to promote closer economic co-operation between the succession States. So far as I am aware, however, no negotiations are in progress at present.
§ Mr. SANDYSMay I ask whether His Majesty's Government recognise that no political guarantees for Austria's independence would be of much value without a settlement of her economic problems; and whether the right hon. Gentleman can assure the House that that aspect of the question will receive serious consideration at Stresa?
§ Sir J. SIMONI cannot give any undertaking about Stresa. Of course, the initiative in such matters as the economic relations between the succession States cannot come from us, but I am perfectly ready to subscribe to the proposition that the political and economic aspect have to be borne in mind.