§ 13. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official proposals he has received relating to the formation of a Mediterranean pact or other treaty arrangement with France concerning North Africa; and if he will give an assurance that this country will enter such an arrangement only on condition that it recognises the right of self-determination for Algeria.
§ Commander NobleThe French Prime Minister recently stated that he would shortly make concrete proposals for a Western Mediterranean pact. Other proposals in the same field have of course also been made in the past by other countries in the area, notably Morocco and Tunisia. Her Majesty's Government have not yet received details of any of these proposals. When we do so we will of course give them the fullest consideration. Our concern will be to see whether these various ideas can be brought together and thus lead to an arrangement which will serve the interest of all the countries in the area. But I do not think it would be helpful to take up any hard and fast position on these various proposals until we know more about their details.
§ Mr. ZilliacusWhilst appreciating the point made by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, in view of the strong feelings on this subject, would he make it clear that Mr. Gaillard's proposal that this pact should include French Algeria is not acceptable to Her Majesty's Government?
§ Commander NobleI think we should wait until we hear the French Prime Minister's proposals in detail.