HC Deb 03 July 1947 vol 439 cc1511-3
Mr. Eden

(by Private Notice} asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the outcome of the Paris Conference.

The Minister of State (Mr. McNeil)

I should like to give to the House the text of the following communiqué agreed by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and by Monsieur Bidault, which is being released this afternoon in Paris and in London: The British and French Governments have reached the following decision in order to give prompt effect to the suggestion made by Mr. Marshall in his speech at Harvard University on 5th June that Europe should take the initiative in the work of reconstruction. For this purpose it is essential to draw up as quickly as possible a programme covering Europe's resources and Europe's needs. A temporary organisation needs to be set up to bring together the data on which such a programme will be based. The British and French Governments have therefore decided to invite all European States (with the temporary exception of Spain) who desire to participate in framing a reply to Mr. Marshall's suggestion to collaborate with them in setting up this organisation, whose task will be to draw up a programme of European reconstruction, in which the resources and needs of each country will be co-ordinated in such manner as each freely decides. This offer to participate in the work of the organisation will be open to all European States.

Mr. Lipson

Will the temporary organisation which it is proposed to set up keep in close consultation with the European Economic Organisation so that the door may be left open for the cooperation of all European States?

Mr. McNeil

I am not anxious to add to the communique or to say any more than that His Majesty's Government will not depart from the unswerving loyalty which they have offered to all United Nations organisations.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Can the right hon Gentleman say whether he contemplates at any point in the future the inclusion of Spain? He has referred in his statement to the fact that as a temporary exception she will not be brought into the scheme for the reconstruction of Europe.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the tact that no other country suffered greater devastation in the war and that no country is more in need of friendship, friendly aid and co-operation than the Soviet Union, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some further evidence of the reasons why there was a breakdown at Paris, and particularly can he tell us what Mr. Marshall meant the other day when he said that aid for Europe would not be tolerated for political objects? Who is to decide what is a political object?

Mr. Wilson Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the difficulties which may arise in connection with the European Economic Commission if States which are not themselves prepared to accept the Marshall offer, take part in the discussions as members of that Commission?

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. As a Member of this House who has put a legitimate and temperate question, am I not as much entitled to an answer as the deputy-Leader of the Opposition or any other Member?

Mr. McNeil

The deputy-Leader of the Opposition did not ask me any question, and I did not reply to the hon. Gentleman because I thought the reply was obvious. My right hon. Friend and M. Bidault are not disputing the claims which the hon. Gentleman makes for Soviet Russia, but they have gone to almost endless lengths and have incurred substantial delay to meet the claims of the Soviet Union.