§ 15. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the conference on Trieste recently held in London.
§ Mr. EdenThe talks are still proceeding and I should prefer, with the hon. Gentleman's agreement, to make no further statement at present.
§ Mr. DaviesWhile I appreciate the Foreign Secretary's reply, may I ask if he can say whether full account is being taken of the views of the community of Trieste about an increasing share in the administration for the Italians, because I understand that a growing section of the population are very much concerned about this?
§ Mr. EdenWe have had representations from various quarters, including recently, in writing, from a Slovene delegation that has come here—if that is what the hon. Member has in mind—and we are considering that. But, as the hon. Member knows very well, the purpose of these talks is a strictly limited one, concerned with certain arrangements of administration in particular.
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the large Slovene minorities, is the Foreign Secretary carrying out the assurance he gave me before the Recess that the Yugoslavs are being kept fully informed and brought into consultation where appropriate?
§ Mr. EdenWe are in touch with the Yugoslavs, both here and in Belgrade, and we made it clear that any agreement which we reach here in these matters will not prejudice any long-term settlement. It was clear from what the Slovenes wrote to us that it is really the long-term settlement that they are concerned about.