HC Deb 24 March 1948 vol 448 cc2997-3000
26. Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to Article 21 of the Peace Treaty with Italy, whereby the integrity and independence of the Free Territory of Trieste is guaranteed by the Security Council, the question of modification of that Treaty was submitted to the Security Council prior to the Government's decision in collaboration with the United States and French Governments, to advocate the return of Trieste to Italian sovereignty.

28. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the proposed cession to Italy of the Free Territory of Trieste.

29. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Trieste and on the reasons for the issue at this time of the Anglo-French-American proposal that the Free Territory of Trieste should be returned to Italy.

Mr. Bevin

Hon. Members will have read the declaration which has been published. This declaration makes it clear that the Governments of the United States, France and the United Kingdom consider that negotiations should be started at once for the revision of those clauses of the Italian Peace Treaty which established the Free Territory of Trieste. They have, therefore, proposed to the Soviet Government, which was the fourth great Power primarily responsible for the drafting of the Treaty, and to the Italian Government, as the other Power directly affected, that negotiations to this end should be started at once. My hon. Friend, the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) has raised the question of the Security Council, to which the powers entrusted a special responsibility in this connection. The declaration proposes that any arrangements which the Powers reach for a revision of the relevant clauses should then be submitted for consideration to the Security Council.

The Yugoslav Embassies in London, Washington and Paris were also officially informed of this proposal shortly before the announcement was made.

The history of recent months has shown that the Peace Treaty provisions for setting up Trieste as a Free Territory have been made unworkable; the three Governments have now become convinced that the only satisfactory solution from both the economic and political standpoint is the reversion of the Territory to Italian sovereignty. Having reached this conclusion, the three Governments thought it best to say so.

We have received a reply from the Italian Government stating that they are ready to negotiate a protocol in accordance with our proposal. We now await the reply of the Soviet Government. The House will understand that I do not want to be drawn into any discussions which might hamper our chances of reaching a solution of this urgent problem by direct negotiation.

Mr. Chamberlain

Since my right hon. Friend stated in this House that Trieste is directly under the control and protection of the Security Council, would it not have been wiser, from every point of view, first to have submitted the proposal through the Security Council, even if there was an election going on in Italy?

Mr. Bevin

That has nothing to do with the election. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Well, I did not accuse the Soviet Government of an election manoeuvre, when they proposed, in spite of the Four Power Commission, to hand the colonies back to Italy, and I do not think, alternatively, that I ought to be accused. The fact is that this House has been pressing us to reduce the troops and to get them home, and it was understood, when the Treaty was signed, that this place would be evacuated and the men brought home within four months of the date of the Treaty being signed, and we have not been able to do that. We cannot get agreement on the setting up of the Free Territory. Therefore, we came to the conclusion, in the light of this, among other situations on which we are at a deadlock, to try to break the deadlock by this proposal.

Mr. Warbey

Is it not the case that the Statute of the Free Territory of Trieste was formally adopted and approved by the United Nations, and, therefore, would it not be necessary to call a Special Assembly of the United Nations in order that the matter of the revision or cancellation of the Statute could be submitted to it?

Mr. Bevin

We undertook that, if any matter arose out of this Treaty with the Four Powers who made it, they should consult, and I have proceeded on that basis. The next step that would have to be taken, if we arrive at an agreement, is to report the matter to the United Nations. From memory, I cannot remember off-hand the exact Clause in the Charter under which we operate.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the satisfaction that his decision will cause on this side of the House, and would he undertake to keep the House informed of the progress of developments in regard not only to the submission of future details to the Security Council, but in any other way?

Mr. Bevin

Certainly?

Mr. Driberg

If this proposal has nothing to do with the Italian elections, would it not have been better for all the great Powers who are appearing to interfere in these elections to have waited just three weeks longer, and so have avoided inflaming further an already inflammable situation?

Mr. Bevin

I think that question might be addressed to Moscow.

Professor Savory

Are we to understand that the proposal is that the zone at present occupied by the Yugoslavs is also to be restored to Italy?

Mr. Bevin

Certainly, that is the proposal.

Mr. Gallacher

I want to ask the Foreign Secretary, in view of his statement that the Four Powers should consult, why he did not arrange for the Four Powers to consult, instead of three Powers issuing a declaration? Is he also aware of the fact that the hon. Member for Malden (Mr. Driberg) is not responsible for answering questions in Moscow, but that the right hon. Gentleman himself is responsible for answering questions here? Will he try to show a little more courtesy to hon. Members on this side of the House?

Mr. Bevin

I do not know why the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) should be so thin-skinned about it. I am addressed daily, not through diplomatic channels, but over the wireless and through "Pravda."

Mr. Chamberlain

Would my right hon. Friend at least bear in mind that the demise of the League of Nations started when its machinery was by-passed?