§ 22. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on Austria following the deputation of leading Members of their Government who were recently received in this country; 1152 and, particularly, as to whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to recognise the freedom and independence of Austria; the withdrawal of all foreign troops; the restoration of the former borders; and the complete separation of Austria from Germany.
§ Mr. BevinI will hear in mind the possibility of making a statement on Austria, but I think the policy of His Majesty's Government is in general well known both to the Austrian Government and to the public. As has been made clear on many occasions, His Majesty's Government take their stand by the Moscow Declaration of November, 1943. As hon. Members will also be aware, negotiations for an Austrian Treaty are at present being carried on by the Deputies in London, and will, I hope, be completed by the Council of Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Moscow next month.
§ Mr. FreemanIn view of the fact that the greatest barrier to the recovery of Austria is the existence in that country of so many Nazis and Fascists, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether steps are being taken to investigate these men who fled from their own countries to escape vengeance?
§ Mr. BevinWe are doing all we can with regard to displaced persons and the people who are under our control.