§ 67. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on his demand at the Paris Conference that all the Armed Forces of the. Allies should be evacuated from Austria.
Mr. Noel-BakerMy right hon. Friend did not propose at Paris that the Allied troops in Austria should be forthwith removed. Like the United States delegate, however, he did circulate the draft heads of a Treaty with the Austrian Republic, and, if this Treaty had been made, one of its consequences would have been the withdrawal from the country of all the occupying forces of the Allies. But, as the hon. Member will be aware, there was, to my right hon. Friend's regret, no agreement of the Council of Foreign Ministers at the recent session to proceed with the consideration of an Austrian Treaty.
§ Professor SavoryIs the Minister aware that in a certain zone the country is being completely eaten up to the verge of being absolutely ruined, and in view of the fact that these people only desire to be friends of Great Britain and Northern Ireland could he not remove all troops immediately?
Mr. Noel-BakerWe are, of course, extremely anxious to have an Austrian Treaty as soon as we can get it, and if we can get it, all the Allied troops will be removed.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIs it the case that some reduction is being made now, or will he made, in the strength of our occupying Forces, and, if so, is there to he a parallel in any of the other zones?
Mr. Noel-BakerI think it is common knowledge that a reduction has been made in the number of troops in Austria on the part of all four occupying Powers, but I would not now like to add to that.
§ Mr. NuttingCan the Minister give the figures of the Armies of the occupying Powers?