HC Deb 11 February 1953 vol 511 cc396-7
18. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the meeting of the Foreign Ministers' deputies which opened on 6th February; and what progress has been made in regard to the Austrian Treaty.

Mr. Nutting

The Foreign Ministers' deputies for the Austrian Treaty met in London on 6th and 9th February. The three Western Powers were ready to discuss any and all matters relevant to the speedy conclusion of an Austrian Treaty. The Soviet representative however declared that, before any discussions whatsoever could take place, the Western Powers must withdraw the draft Abbreviated Treaty which they had submitted to the Soviet Government in March, 1952. The Western deputies offered to leave the Abbreviated Treaty on one side, so long as constructive progress was made on any other basis. When this proposal was refused, they offered to withdraw the abbreviated draft, if it proved possible to conclude a treaty on any other basis, and proposed that the discussions should begin by an examination of the text of the long draft treaty. The Soviet deputy, however, continued to insist upon the unconditional withdrawal of the abbreviated draft. Since therefore it was clearly impossible to make any progress, it was agreed to adjourn for two or three weeks, to enable the deputies to report back to their Governments.

Mr. Davies

In view of the improbability of Russia agreeing to the Abbreviated Treaty, might I ask the Joint Under-Secretary what we would lose by withdrawing it at this stage? Will he confirm that the policy of Her Majesty's Government is still to reach the conclusion of an Austrian Treaty as soon as possible so that the occupying forces can be withdrawn?

Mr. Nutting

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the draft Abbreviated Treaty was put forward in order to try to break the deadlock. It was put forward as a basis —not as an exclusive basis—for discussion and I do not think it is unreasonable to expect the Soviet Deputy to accept that we should withdraw our treaty only on condition that a treaty can be concluded on any other basis.

Mr. Davies

As it is quite clear that by insisting on this Abbreviated Treaty remaining available for discussion we are preventing further discussions taking place, would it not be better to withdraw it and then, if the Soviet Union do not reach agreement on the Austrian Treaty, it would be obvious that the blame was on them?

Mr. Nutting

It is pretty obvious that the blame is on the Soviet Government for having refused to co-operate in every effort that we and our two Western Allies have made to get agreement upon the long draft Treaty. It was because of that we brought forward the short draft version.