EDEN REPORTS TO COMMONS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 11

EDEN REPORTS TO COMMONS

Indo-China Talks May Soon Resume LONDON, July 7. The Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) told the House of Commons today that Ministerial consultations regarding Indo-China might be resumed at Geneva shortly. Mr Eden added: “A working group on South-east Asia, composed of British and United States officials, has been set up in Washington to study in detail the particular problems arising from the Washington conversations. It will report to the two Governments.” On policy in Europe, Mr Eden said: “A working group of officials has been set up in London to consider the implications of the Washington. statement in respect of Europe. The group will be mainly concerned with the international status of the German Federal Republic, and Workington the assumption that the German contribution to Western defence will be made through the European Defence Community. ’ ’ Mr William Warbey (Labour) said it was “shocking” that France had been left out of the discussions oij German sovereignty and that Britain and the United States “should in fact join up with Dr. Adenauer in dragooning France and blackmailing her into ratifying E.D.C.” Mr Eden said that that was “a travesty of what has happened.” There was no question of Dr. Adenauer, the German Federal Chancellor, being brought into the study group ,at all, he said. Mr Philip Noel Baker, a former Labour Secretary for Commonwealth Relations, asked if Mr Eden would return to Geneva, and the Foreign Secretary replied: “There is a fresh gathering about to take place at Geneva, and as I previously informed the House, if there was any service I could render, I would, of course, go back.” It was announced during the debate that Sir Winston Churchill is to make a statement on his Washington and Ottawa talks in the House of Commons on Monday next.