HC Deb 26 July 1954 vol 531 cc23-4
38. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the discussions of the Anglo-United States study group on a South-East Asian security organisation have been discontinued.

39. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at what conclusion the Anglo-American study group on South-East Asian defence has arrived.

Mr. Eden

The report of the Anglo-American Study Group is confidential to Governments. I am not, therefore, able to make any statement upon its conclusions. The discussions were discontinued because the Study Group had completed its studies.

Mr. Warbey

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the members of the Study Group were in agreement and submitted an agreed report to their respective Governments? Can he further say whether, arising out of these discussions, Her Majesty's Government are planning to enter into any fresh commitments when the House is in Recess?

Mr. Eden

I can only say that we were satisfied with the result of the work of the Study Group, and that the commitments of Her Majesty's Government are those which have been already stated publicly in this House.

Mr. Wyatt

Can the Foreign Secretary at least say whether or not our American friends had a better understanding of what was meant by the Locarno Pact at the end of the activities of the Study Group than at the beginning?

Mr. Eden

I am confident that the growth of understanding was mutual.