§ 47. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister what is the present size of the occupation forces maintained in Austria by each of the four occupying Powers; and what steps are being taken, or are contemplated by His Majesty's Government, towards the progressive demilitarisation of Allied control over Austria.
§ The Prime MinisterAs regards the first part of the Question, I am not in a position to give information regarding the strength of the forces of the occupying Powers. As regards the second part of the Question, the future structure of Allied Control in Austria is at present under consideration and I am unable to make any statement at the moment.
§ Mr. WarbeyWhile appreciating the difficulty of obtaining exact figures of the size of the occupation forces, may I ask does not my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that the forces at present maintained in Austria are grossly out of proportion to what is required to maintain order and to prevent the recurrence of any danger of Nazi oppression, and will he make it clear that British policy aims at a speedy ending of military control over Austria?
§ The Prime MinisterThat supplementary question seems to go rather further than the Question on the Order Paper. I do not quite know how, when my hon. Friend is asking for information as to 23 how many there are there, he can then draw the conclusion that there are too many.