HC Deb 22 March 1948 vol 448 cc2562-3
28. Mr. M. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in taking any decisions involving economic co-operation between the 16 nations represented in Paris, he will consider what role could be played in their implementation by the Economic Commission for Europe at Geneva.

Mr. Mayhew

This is one of the problems which will be considered by the working party which was set up by the Committee for European Economic Cooperation at its recent meeting in Paris to consider the constitution and functions of the Continuing Organisation of the 16 participating countries.

Mr. Philips Price

Is it not desirable that the decisions of the 16 nations on economic matters should be fitted in with the work as far as possible?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, that is so. As I have explained, that will be one of the tasks of the working party.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Does not the Economic Commission include a number of nations whose prime object it is to smash the co-operation which has been discussed at Paris?

Mr. Mayhew

Also, it contains a number of members whose trade is of great importance for the economic recovery of Europe.

30. Mr. Donner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will extend the British contribution to the European Recovery Programme to include, either alone or in association with allied and friendly Powers, an undertaking of all immediate and necessary assistance to the Italian Government against armed insurrection in that country directed to the overthrow of the existing democratic and constitutional régime.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is naturally paying the keenest attention to the situation in Italy. As I explained to the hon. Member in reply to his Question on 15th March, however, my right hon. Friend does not think that extraneous subjects of this nature should be considered in connection with the European Recovery Programme.

Mr. Warbey

Will my hon. Friend agree that last week's announcement about Marshall aid to Italy, and yesterday's announcement about Trieste, show that British and American interference in the internal politics of Italy——

Mr. Speaker

That is merely asking for an opinion and not for information.