HC Deb 04 August 1943 vol 391 c2270
5. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the honourable conditions of peace offered to the Italians by the United Nations, as stated in General Eisenhower's recent broadcast address to them?

Mr. Eden

As I stated on 30th July, no peace terms have been offered to the Italians. We continue to demand unconditional surrender.

Mr. Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it came about that General Eisenhower talked in his broadcast of honourable conditions of peace for the Italians? Unconditional surrender does not mean that, surely?

Mr. Eden

I do not think I want to argue the matter now. Our position is unconditional surrender, and I can conceive of circumstances in which unconditional surrender might not be dishonourable to those who made it.

Mr. Tinker

I trust that the right hon. Gentleman will stick to those terms, whatever happens.

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