§ 24. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what requests were made at the Berlin Conference, or subsequently by the French Government to Her Majesty's Government, to assume additional military commitments in Europe before the European Defence Community treaties are submitted to the French Parliament for ratification.
Mr. EdenThe French Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that they would welcome assurances about the maintenance of United Kingdom and United States forces on the Continent. No new requests were made at the Berlin Conference, nor subsequently.
§ Mr. FletcherMay we take it that no pressure will be brought on the French to ratify the E.D.C. by any additional British commitments in Europe which have not first been approved by this House?
Mr. EdenThere is no question of pressure being brought on anybody. Our French friends have asked us a number of questions, and we are in conversation with them. If, as a result of these discussions, we should draw closer together, I should think that that is something that the whole House would welcome.