§ 24. Mr. Anthony Nuttingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what progress has been made by the deputies of the Big Five Foreign Ministers towards reaching a decision on the French Government's proposals at the recent Foreign Ministers' Conference regarding future control of the Ruhr and the Rhineland.
Mr. Noel-BakerThe Council of Foreign Ministers agreed that the French proposals for the control of the Ruhr and the Rhineland should be examined through the usual diplomatic channels. Informal conversations, without commitment on either side, have taken place between officials of the French and British Governments. I understand that the French Government will have similar conversations with other Powers.
§ Mr. NuttingDo His Majesty's Government support the French proposals, or, if not, will they support some alternative form of concerted action to internationalise those vital areas of the country?
Mr. Noel-BakerI think it is plain why I cannot answer that supplementary question but I would like to assure the hon. Member that in the conversations which have taken place His Majesty's Government have expressed no view on the French proposals or any other proposals on this matter. The conversations have been purely exploratory in character.