§ Mr. Nuttingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the return to Italian administration of all Italian provinces, excepting Venezia, Giulia and Udine.
Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir. In accordance with a decision of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, almost all the remaining Italian territory now under Allied Military Government will be transferred to Italian administration on 31st December, 1945. The transfer will include the islands of Lampedusa, Linosa and Pantellaria; but it will exclude Venezia Giulia and the Province of Udine. The transfer of these territories, and any withdrawal of Allied troops which the Supreme Allied Commander may determine, will be without prejudice to any rectification of the Italian frontiers which may be made in the treaty of peace. The Province of Udine is being retained under Allied military government solely for military reasons and not because it is in any sense a disputed area. Allied Military Government Officers will be with- 1473W drawn from the territory to be transferred. A small number of Allied Commission Liaison Officers will, however, remain, to help in making the transition from Allied to Italian administration.