HL Deb 01 December 1953 vol 184 cc765-6

2.45 p.m.

LORD GRANTCHESTER

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is among their aims, in whatever decision is arrived at in respect of the future of the Port of Trieste, to make provision against the imposition in peace-time of tariff barriers or other special restrictions on goods passing through that port to or from Danubian and other countries for which the port is a natural access to the sea.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government recognise the economic importance of the Port of Trieste as an outlet for a large hinterland. It is certainly their hope that in any solution of the Trieste problem provision will be made to ensure the widest possible use of the port's facilities, both in the best interests of the population of Trieste and in order to safeguard the legitimate interests of the countries which the port is well situated to serve.

LORD GRANTCHESTER

I thank the noble Marquess for his courteous reply.

LORD LAYTON

My Lords, in view of the vital importance to the people of Austria of the Port of Trieste, on which the noble Marquess remarked, may I ask him whether Her Majesty's Government will seek to secure the presence of a representative of the Austrian Government, either as an observer or in some other capacity, at any conference that may be called with regard to the future of Trieste?

THE MARQUESS OF READING

My Lords, we are endeavouring, as the House knows, to arrange a conference between the five immediately interested Powers, and I think that, in the first place at least, we had probably better devote our efforts to that end.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Will the noble Marquess say that steps will be taken to see that the existing Treaty with Czechoslovakia in regard to their trade with Trieste will be preserved?

THE MARQUESS OF READING

My Lords, I fail for the moment, to realise how that arises out of Lord Grantchester's Question. If the noble Viscount likes to put down a Question on the somewhat extraneous subject which he has now touched upon, I shall do my best to answer.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Inasmuch as the Question asked that the existing facilities of other countries for trade through Trieste will be considered, it appeared to me to be relevant, and I should be glad if the noble Marquess would answer it.