HC Deb 10 October 1945 vol 414 cc240-1W
Mr. Pickthorn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the situation in Poland where, though a particular party cannot compete in the elections as an independent party, its members can affiliate to other parties and so take their part, is accepted by His Majesty's Government as fulfilling their policy, that in reconstituting Europe all parties in every country should have facilities to express their views.

Mr. Bevin

The Polish Provisional Government have pledged themselves to His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the United States and the U.S.S.R. in the terms of the Crimea Agreement on Poland to hold "free and unfettered elections as soon as possible on the basis of universal suffrage and secret ballot," in which "all democratic and anti-Nazi parties shall have the right to take part and to put forward candidates." It is not yet clear from the information at my disposal that all parties answering this description at present enjoy in an equal degree the necessary facilities for organising themselves, holding meetings and putting out publicity material through the Press and broadcasting. I am watching the situation closely.

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