HC Deb 07 May 1952 vol 500 cc373-4
8. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement on the results of the talks on Trieste.

Mr. Eden

The talks are still proceeding. I should, therefore, prefer to make no further statement at present.

Mr. Davies

Would the right hon. Gentleman confirm that these talks will be completely unprejudicial to the final settlement as regards Trieste? Secondly, if that is so, is he taking this opportunity to impress upon the Italians the desirability of attempting to reach full agreement with Yugoslavia over that final settlement through negotiation?

Mr. Eden

The reply to the first part of the supplementary is "Yes." As to the second part, I hope very much that both sides will deal with this matter directly with each other. It is the only way by which a reasonable settlement can be effectively arrived at.

Mr. Davies

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Yugoslavs are being kept fully informed about the talks and that they are not simply handed Press communiqués?

Mr. Eden

We are keeping them informed, but it is difficult to inform other people until we have reached a stage of agreement ourselves. We hope that agreement will be reached in the next few days, and if that is so we shall, of course, give advance information to the Yugoslav Government on the results of our work.