HC Deb 03 February 1947 vol 432 cc1372-3
18. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the incorporation of the Saar territory in the French customs system.

Mr. Mayhew

I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's speech in this House on 22nd October, in which he stated that His Majesty's Government are prepared to accept the French proposals about the Saar, subject to the necessary adjustments of the French reparations balance and the delimitation of the exact area. This still represents the policy of His Majesty's Government, in whose opinion a final settlement of the issues raised by the recent incorporation of the Saar in the French Customs Union must await quadripartite decision.

Mr. Edelman

Will the Under-Secretary confirm that His Majesty's Government will view favourably the permanent economic integration of the Saar with France?

Mr. Mayhew

We have. Sir, already made our views clear to the French Government. I think the important factor is that this will be discussed at the Council of Foreign Ministers, and that we do not want to prejudge the question of the future frontiers of Germany, or the amount of reparations due to France.