HC Deb 01 July 1943 vol 390 cc1778-80
47. Sir T. Moore

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to make a statement on the position of the French National Committee in North Africa?

48. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the decision to invest full control in General Eisenhower over the French political organisation in North Africa; and whether His Majesty's Government are parties to this decision?

The Prime Minister

I assume that the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) has in mind recent Press messages from Washington 6n this subject. The facts are these. In view of the prolonged discussions between the French leaders in Algiers on questions involving the character and control of the French Armed Forces, and the serious effect which this might have on the furtherance of the war effort and the safety of the Allied Armies in North Africa, the Allied Commander in-Chief, with the authority of the United States Government and His Majesty's Government, on 19th June asked General Giraud and General de Gaulle for an assurance that there should be no important change in the French command in North Africa at the preset time and that General Eisenhower should be satisfied that the French military organisation was such that the French Commander-in-Chief had effective and proper control of the French Forces in this area. This representation was made on military grounds and implied no decision to invest General Eisenhower with full control over the political organisation in North Africa.

I would take this opportunity to deprecate giving any undue attention to the personality aspect of the new French organisation. I informed the House on 8th June that we all rejoiced when agree- ment was made and the French Committee of National Liberation was set up and constituted as the single and sole authority for all Frenchmen seeking to free France from the German yoke, and I added that our dealings, financial and otherwise, would henceforward be with this Committee as a whole. The Committee is working on the basis of collective responsibility, and it is our hope that all its members will merge their personal and individual interests for the common good of France. His Majesty's Government have consistently encouraged the union of all Frenchmen in the fight against the Axis and for the liberation of France. It has never been their policy to take sides between Frenchmen who fall in this category, and it is not their policy to support any one member of the Committee of National Liberation rather than another.

Taking a longer view, I would say that it is not the policy of the United States and British Governments that their Armies, upon whom the main burden must rest, or French Forces equipped by them, shall be used to impose upon France, directly or indirectly, any particular military leader, but rather to make sure that the broad and settled will of the masses of the French people, expressed under conditions of freedom, shall decide upon the future Government of their country.

Mr. Shinwell

While fully appreciating the difficulties in French North Africa and the need for maintaining the supremacy of the military authorities in the existing situation, will my right hon. Friend care to comment on the suspicions which appear to have been generated arising out of the, Washington messages affecting the position of General de Gaulle? Can we be assured that no steps are being taken with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government to undermine the position of General de Gaulle?

The Prime Minister

I think my answer covers very clearly the last part of the question, and I should be very shy of commenting on suspicions about statements or reports issued by other Governments than our own.

Sir T. Moore

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that unity and co-operation will now develop under this new system?

The Prime Minister

I think that would be to convict myself of undue optimism.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we be assured—I do not put it higher than that and I ask it with deference—that His Majesty's Government are always consulted on the position in North Africa, particularly with regard to the political implications, and that nothing is done without their consent?

The Prime Minister

No, I should not put it as high as that, but my right hon. Friend the Member for Stockton (Mr. Harold Macmillan) has the fullest confidence of General Eisenhower. He lives in the closest association with the United States authorities and with the French authorities of every hue, he sees them continually, and very often reports to us several times a day. Of course, the main direction of the campaign in North Africa is, as I explained to the House earlier in the year, under the United States authorities, but we are also in frequent communication with the American Government, and personally I am in the closest accord with the President upon all the steps that are taken.

Sir Alfred Beit

Is it not very difficult for the Allied Command to distinguish between the political and military aspects of French conversations?

The Prime Minister

That, no doubt, is one of those difficulties which tax to the utmost the ability of the distinguished officers involved.

Mr. Bellenger

Is the House to understand from the Prime Minister's statement that in order to ensure the safety of the Allied troops and their communications it is necessary that General Giraud shall remain in supreme command of the French Military Forces?

The Prime Minister

I certainly consider that that is necessary at the present time.

Mr. Bowles

May I ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to an article in the "Daily Herald" this morning, which Geoffrey Parsons cabled to the "New York Herald-Tribune," headed "Blue print for civil war," and whether he agrees with that as being true or not?

The Prime Minister

I was so much occupied this morning in reading the very agreeable leading article in the "Daily Herald" that that escaped my attention.