7. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement regarding constitutional development in Syria and the Lebanon?
§ Mr. EdenI am glad to say that satisfactory progress has recently been made in restoring free and constitutional government in these countries. On 24th January, the French National Committee published a communiqué expressing their intention to give effect to the independence of Syria and the Lebanon proclaimed by General Catroux in 1941, and stating that, after consultation with His Majesty's Government, they had come to the conclusion that the military situation now permitted the restoration of the constitutional régime. They, therefore, authorised General Catroux to take the necessary measures on his return to the Levant. On 18th March, General Catroux issued decrees appointing a Provisional Government in the Lebanon to hold elections, after which the new Chamber of Deputies would proceed to the election of a President of the Republic. The re-establishment of the Constitution would take effect from the day of the President's election. Similar measures for the restoration of the constitutional régime in Syria were announced by General Catroux on 25th March.