§ 19. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at what stage during the war was it decided by the three Great Powers that Poland's Eastern frontier should be adjusted at the termination of hostilities to the Curzon line.
Mr. McNeilAt the Crimea Conference in February, 1945, it was decided by the heads of the Governments of the Three Great Powers that the Eastern frontier of Poland should follow the Curzon line with digressions from it in some regions of five to eight kilometres in favour of Poland. As my hon. Friend will doubtless recollect, a tripartite announcement to this effect was published on 13th February, 1945.
§ Mr. StokesI know all about that. That is why I asked the question. May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he still denies that this decision was taken at Teheran? If he still does, will he study the statement made by M. Mikolajczyk, who told us quite definitely what he was confronted with when he visited Moscow?
Mr. McNeilI do not think I can add to what I have already said on this subject, now and previously. I have no doubt that discussion took place at Teheran and equally I have no doubt that discussion took place at many other points upon this same subject. The decision is as I have announced.
§ Mr. StokesIf I send my right hon. Friend documents on this matter will he please study them and make a statement in this House?
Mr. McNeilI will be delighted to study anything which my right hon. Friend sends me. I frequently do, and then I discuss with him what subsequent action to take.
§ Brigadier HeadDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that one of the lessons learned from the war is that it would have saved everyone a lot of time and trouble if the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) had been taken to Yalta and Teheran?
§ Mr. StokesBefore my right hon. Friend answers that question may I respectfully suggest to him that the outcome of the war would have been much more satisfactory if I had been.