§ 11. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his consultations with other Governments in regard to calling a meeting of deputies to consider the completion of the Austrian Treaty.
§ Mr. NuttingI have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply on 27th April. We are still in consultation with the United States and French Governments.
§ Mr. DaviesCan the hon. Gentleman say when he will have something further to add, because it would be most unfortunate if this opportunity of calling another meeting of the deputies was allowed to slip when it appears that the atmosphere has somewhat improved?
§ Mr. NuttingI see no reason to quarrel with the supplementary question of the hon. Gentleman, and I hope that I shall have some definite information to announce in the fairly near future.
§ Mr. DaviesCan the hon. Member say when this meeting takes place that there will be no conditions imposed, and that the draft treaty, previously put forward, which proved to be an obstacle to agreement at the last meeting, will not be proposed?
§ Mr. NuttingI cannot answer in advance of the meeting about precisely what line will be taken by Her Majesty's Government and the two other Western Governments involved. As the House knows, both the present Government and the previous Administration have done their utmost to get an Austrian State Treaty. The fault does not lie with Her Majesty's present Government or the late Government that, so far, no State Treaty has been arrived at.