HC Deb 01 December 1943 vol 395 c336
8. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any further statement regarding the constitutional crisis in the Lebanon?

1. Major Petherick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the situation in the Lebanon?

Mr. George Hall

Thanks to the statesmanship of General Catroux and to the commendable calm of the local population, constitutional Government has been reestablished in the Lebanon and the local situation is normal again. As has already been made clear, our present desire is to see an understanding reached between the Lebanese Government and the French authorities which will enable constitutional development to proceed in an orderly and agreed manner as soon as possible. I am sure the House will agree that we are all entitled to expect both sides to meet the present situation in a conciliatory manner so as not to hamper the war effort throughout the Middle East.

Mr. Riley

Are the Government satisfied with such progress as has now been made?

Mr. Hall

Yes, Sir, I think it can be said that we are satisfied with the progress that has been made so far.