HC Deb 03 August 1943 vol 391 cc2080-1
47. Miss Ward

asked the Prime Minister who is responsible for the selection of the personnel for A.M.G.O.T.; and which Government Department is the directing authority?

The Prime Minister

The military government of Sicily is a Joint Anglo-American Government carried out under the direction of the Supreme Commander General Eisenhower, who is responsible through the Combined Chiefs of Staff to the Government of Great Britain and the Government of the United States. The War Office is the Department in this country responsible for selecting the British officers required for this service.

Miss Ward

In regard to A.M.G.O.T., are the Foreign Office in close consultation with the War Office on these matters?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, very close liaison exists.

Mr. A. Bevan

Has General Eisenhower issued any directives to the personnel of A.M.G.O.T., and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman place a copy of them in the Library of the House for our examination—I mean the general directions?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman has not appreciated what I said in my answer—has not taken it in. I said that the military government of Sicily is a Joint Anglo-American Government, carried out under the direction of the Supreme Commander, General Eisenhower, who is himself responsible through the Combined Chiefs of Staff at Washington to our two Governments.

Mr. Bevan

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. I fully appreciated what he said. If General Eisenhower has sent out any general directives to the personnel of A.M.G.O.T., not detailed ones, can they be put in the Library of the House for our inspection?

The Prime Minister

I have not got them in my hands at the present time, but, broadly speaking, complete agreement has been reached between the two Governments, and General Eisenhower acts within the limits of that.