§ 36. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to Trieste following his conversations with Marshal Tito.
§ Mr. NuttingYes, Sir. In September last, my right hon. Friend discussed the future of the Free Territory separately with both Signor de Gasperi and Marshal Tito. These discussions were purely exploratory in character and my right hon. Friend did not himself put forward any concrete proposal for a solution.
It remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage by whatever means they can a settlement of this problem by conciliation.
§ Mr. DaviesSince the Under-Secretary says that we favour a settlement by conciliation, in view of the fact that for a long period we have followed that policy and these two countries have not come any closer to agreement—in fact, have become further apart—does the hon. Gentleman not consider that the time has come when there should be mediation by outside parties?
§ Mr. NuttingI will certainly take note of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, but we have not yet given up hope that some direct discussions might take place between the two parties which will lead to a settlement of this thorny problem.