HC Deb 09 March 1953 vol 512 cc809-10
1. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what groups in opposition to the Government of Marshal Tito he saw officially on his recent visit to Yugoslavia; whether he can now state the programme of the Marshal's coming visit to this country; and what time will be left for him to meet, officially, any groups, Parliamentary or other, in opposition to Her Majesty's Government.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

The answer to the first part of the Question is "None, Sir." As regards the second and third parts of the Question, I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend on 23rd February, except that the dates of the visit have now been advanced at Marshal Tito's request. He will now be in this country from 16th to 21st March.

Mr. Teeling

While noting my hon. Friend's remarks regarding the Foreign Secretary's visit to Yugoslavia and the possibility that Marshal Tito may, on the other hand, see representatives of various bodies in this country, may I ask why the visit of Marshal Tito has been put forward a week and whether, before this visit takes place, anybody is going to be informed officially of its programme?

Mr. Nutting

With regard to the reasons for advancing the date, I have already said that that has been done at the request of Marshal Tito. It will not escape my hon. Friend's attention that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has important engagements connected with O.E.E.C. in Paris in the week following that in which the Marshal will be here. Arrangements have been made with regard to the programme—this is additional to what has already been announced—for the Yugoslav Foreign Minister to address a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on 19th March.

Mr. Younger

Will the hon. Gentleman impress upon some of his hon. Friends that much the best way to encourage the sort of tendencies we wish to see in Yugoslavia is to welcome Marshal Tito not only as one of our most gallant allies in the war, but also as the only head of a Communist regime who has shown independence of spirit, and to make this visit a thorough success?

Mr. Nutting

I see no reason to challenge the supplementary of the right hon. Gentleman. That was, of course, one of the purposes we had in mind in issuing the invitation.

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