§ 43. Mr. John Patonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Hitler-Mussolini Agreement of 1939, with regard to the South Tyrol and, particularly, the provisions contained within it which led to the forced emigration of many thousands of German-speaking Tyrolese from their homeland, is still held by His Majesty's Government to be a valid and operative document.
§ 68. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ensure that a clause is inserted in the Treaty with Italy insisting on the abandonment of the Convention made in 1939 between Hitler and Mussolini for the compulsory emigration from the South Tyrol of the German-speaking Tyrolese.
Mr. Noel-BakerUnder the Treaty made by Hitler and Mussolini in 1939, German-speaking inhabitants of the South Tyrol were required to choose between German and Italian nationality; those who chose German nationality were to migrate to Germany before the end of 1942. The effect of the Treaty was thus completed some years ago, and the question now to be considered is whether something can be done to mitigate the suffering it caused. I will bear in mind the hon. Member's proposal that a clause should be inserted in the Treaty with Italy, but I hope that this, and other similar questions about the South Tyrol, may be solved by mutual agreement between the Austrian and Italian Governments. His Majesty's Government will, nevertheless, keep the matter under review, and will consider from time to time whether representations to either of the parties can usefully be made.
§ Mr. PatonWhile I thank the Minister for his reply, may I ask if he is aware that since the withdrawal of the Allied Military Government serious allegations are being made that the Italian 1667 authorities are reverting to the practices of 1939, and will he cause inquiries to be made to establish the facts?
Mr. Noel-BakerI have no information to support that view. On the contrary, the Italian Government have made it plain that they intend to adopt a liberal course.
§ Professor SavoryIs the Minister aware that those unfortunate Tyrolese who were forced to leave their country are now being refused repatriation by the Italian authorities?
§ Professor SavoryYes.
§ Professor SavoryUnder tyrannical pressure.
Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, but a number of years ago. All these matters will be considered, but it is not necessarily true that it would be to the interest of these people to go back.
§ Professor SavoryThey want to go back.
§ Mr. EdenApart from the merits of this issue, I want to be quite clear about this matter. One of the Questions refers to His Majesty's Government holding this as a valid document. As I understand it, the Government are in no way bound in respect of this issue.
Mr. Noel-BakerWe are not, of course, in the least bound by the Treaty as a Treaty. What I tried to explain was that in fact its effect was completed some time ago, and, therefore, its validity does not really now arise.
§ Mr. NuttingI am not sure about the latter part of the reply. When the Minister said that the frontier today was between Austria and the Italian people, does he mean that the Government will not stand by this agreement when it is made?
§ Mr. NuttingBy the agreement of the Paris Conference.