§ 5. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether recognition will be given to the authority of the French Committee of National Liberation as the territory of France becomes liberated; and whether that subject has been discussed by the European Advisory Commission.
§ 2. Sir Richard Aclandasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement about the relative powers and duties of the French Committee of National Liberation and the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces in relation to the civil administration of such French territories as will be liberated from the enemy.
§ Mr. LawNo, Sir. I have no statement to make on this subject at the present time, further than to say that His Majesty's Government are in general agreement with the views expressed by Mr. Cordell Hull in his recent speech.
Mr. Graham WhiteMay I ask if, in any subsequent discussion that takes place, the right hon. Gentleman will not lose sight of the fact that the recognition of different authorities in different parts of France will be one certain way of ensuring civil war in France?
§ Mr. GranvilleDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that none of these subjects, even when they are really important, is to be discussed by the European Advisory Commission? Is that what his answer really means?
§ Mr. LawAs to the European Advisory Commission, it has been agreed between the three Governments concerned that their discussions shall not be held in public, and that no announcement shall be made as to the particular topics which they are discussing from time to time. As their work is so intimately connected with the various stages of the war, that is obviously a wise provision.