HC Deb 24 March 1952 vol 498 cc34-5
Mr. Eden

I should like to say a word about the Saar.

This question has for some time been on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Owing to the statesmanship shown by the German Federal Government and the French and the Saar Governments, it proved unnecessary for the Committee to discuss this difficult and contentious problem in Paris. Dr. Adenauer and M. Schuman were able to reach agreement between themselves and with M. Hoffmann, the Saar Prime Minister, that the French and German Governments shall continue their discussions to reach a permanent settlement of the Saar question. Meanwhile, representatives of the two Governments are to meet in the Saar with representatives of the Saar Government in order to determine that acceptable conditions of freedom exist for the elections which are to be held in the Saar territory this year.

There are still many difficulties and much work remains to be done. However, I trust that a beginning has now been made which, with continued goodwill, will enable the Saar to take its due place in the European community.