HC Deb 27 October 1943 vol 393 c164
12. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can yet state the general, political and economic terms of the armistice signed between Great Britain and Italy?

Mr. Law

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on this subject on 20th October.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman and his Department considered that this House is entitled to know all the terms, so that we can understand exactly the Government's policy with regard to the Italian Government?

Mr. Law

I would not withhold anything from this House unless there were very good reasons for doing so, and in this case there are good reasons. Among others, we cannot give the House information without giving the same information to the enemy, and I would ask the House to leave this question in our judgment for the moment, with the assurance that as soon as it is practicable to do so we shall give the fullest information we can.

Mr. Maclean

Could not we have it before the peace treaties?

Mr. McGovern

Could not we have it in Secret Session?