HC Deb 11 May 1953 vol 515 cc854-5
7. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the result of his consultations with the United States of America and France in regard to calling a meeting of Deputies to complete the Austrian Treaty.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Yes, Sir. As a result of these consultations, and at the request of the United Kingdom representative, who will be in the chair at the next meeting, the Secretary-General has today issued invitations for a meeting of the Deputies on Wednesday, 27th May.

Mr. Davies

While I am sure that the whole House will welcome the decision to hold a meeting of the Deputies to consider further the Austrian Treaty, might I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether this will be held without any conditions whatsoever, and whether the consulting Governments have decided to drop the short draft treaty which caused a breakdown of the previous discussions, so that they can start afresh with the main Treaty to the extent that it was already agreed?

Mr. Lloyd

The invitations to this meeting are certainly unconditional. As for the line of conduct that will be taken by Her Majesty's Government at the meeting, that is another matter. I have really nothing to add to the answer which my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gave to the hon. Gentleman on 4th May.