§ 2. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has yet decided to recognise the Provisional Government of France.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreiǵn Affairs (Mr. Eden)I am unable at present to add anything to what was said on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and myself in the course of our statements on 28th and 29th September.
§ Mr. BartlettWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind how very greatly it would encourage the French if that recognition could be accorded quickly? Could he say that the British Government are not opposed to recognition in any way?
§ Mr. EdenMy right hon. Friend dealt with this subject rather fully in the recent Debate and I should be reluctant to compress his statement in any way. He said in the course of it:
We are now engaged in discussing these matters both with the French and with other Allied governments, and I am hopeful that, in the near future, a happy settlement will 904 be reached to the satisfaction of all concerned."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th September, 1944; Vol. 403, c. 496.]
§ Mr. ShinwellAs we have already recognised General de Gaulle, is it not a little invidious that we should not recognise the Provisional Government of which he is the head?
§ Mr. CocksHas the right hon. Gentleman received a definite request from the Foreign Minister of the French Provisional Government for such recognition?