asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what report he has received from His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome as to the decision to defer the date of departure from Italy of United States troops; and whether he will make a statement on the matter;(2) by what date it is anticipated all British troops will have been withdrawn from Italy.

With the exception of some small office staffs left temporarily to settle outstanding business, all British troops were withdrawn by 8th December. I understand that reports of United States combatant forces remaining after 15th December are inaccurate.