§ 3. Mr. Martinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information about the setting up in Poland of a Government representative of the various parties in Polish life.
§ 7. Mr. Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to implementing the decision of the Yalta Conference, he will invite the Government of the U.S.S.R. to put forward names of persons living both inside and outside Poland, who, in their opinion, might be suitable candidates for membership of an enlarged Polish Government.
§ Mr. LawHon. Members will no doubt have seen the announcement issued this morning. Following upon the recent conversations between Marshal Stalin and Mr. Hopkins the Moscow Commission on Poland established by the Crimea Conference has resumed its work and has issued invitations to an agreed list of Polish leaders from within Poland and from abroad to consult under the auspices of the Commission on the composition of a Polish Provisional Government of National Unity in accordance with the Crimea decisions. These consultations will only be the first step towards the fulfilment of those decisions but it is the hope of His Majesty's Government that they may lead to the formation of a Government acceptable to all parties in Poland such as will command the recognition of all the great Powers.
§ Mr. PriceShould these conversations prove successful, as we all hope, will the Foreign Secretary reconsider the whole status of the Polish Government in London?
§ Mr. LawUp till now we have been governed in this matter by the declaration on Poland of the Crimea Conference. Perhaps I ought to read to the House the relevant part: 1623
When a Polish Provisional Government of national unity has been properly formed in conformity with the above"—that is, the Agreement—the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which now maintains diplomatic relations with the present Provisional Government of Poland, and the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the United States will establish diplomatic relations with the new Polish Provisional Government of national unity and will exchange ambassadors, by whose reports the respective Governments will be kept informed about the situation in Poland.That still governs our attitude.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIs the Polish Government in London a party to these new moves and in agreement with them?
§ Mr. LawI think the hon. Member will have seen in the Press to-day the list of representatives who are going, and they do seem to us to be as fully representative of Polish feeling as we can hope to have at the present time. I do not think there are members of the London Polish Government.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxWill my right hon. Friend state whether these delegates will have their safey guaranteed by the British Government?
§ Mr. DribergPending the conversations, in order to improve relations, will some of the Polish agencies in London be invited to refrain from publishing anti-Soviet propaganda at our expense?
§ Professor SavoryCan my right hon. Friend say whether the President of Poland has been consulted as being the only person entitled to appoint a Polish Government?