HC Deb 27 February 1957 vol 565 cc1228-9
30. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what references have been made to Her Majesty's Ambassador in Rome, under Article 87 of the Italian Peace Treaty, since that Treaty came into force, regarding the extent to which the measures for the protection of the rights of the German-speaking population in South Tyrol, as laid down in the Paris Agreement annexed to the Treaty, have been put into effect.

Mr. Ian Harvey

None, Sir.

Mr. Warbey

In view of the fact that the Italian authorities recently prohibited a demonstration of the South Tyrol People's Party and more recently arrested the editor of its German-language newspaper, will not the Government call for a report from the British Ambassador in Rome on the extent to which the Italian authorities have carried out their obligations under the Paris Agreement?

Mr. Harvey

No. This dispute has been going on for a considerable time and both countries are in diplomatic negotiation with each other, and I see no reason for us to intervene.