§ 23. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution of the Berlin municipal council calling for the holding of free, secret and direct elections for an all German Parliament; and whether he will approach the other three occupation Powers with a view to making preparations for such elections, to be held under joint Four-Power supervision in all four zones of Germany.
§ Mr. MayhewHis Majesty's Government have frequently expressed their opinion that the holding of free elections, although by no means the only, or indeed the first step to be taken, is essential to the solution of the economic and political problem in Germany. His Majesty's Government have on several occasions during the last three years put forward detailed proposals for such a solution, but have failed to secure the necessary Four-Power agreement.
§ Mr. WarbeyAs the present plan for West German Government has not received the approval of the democratic political parties in Germany and has aroused serious misgiving in France, will the Under-Secretary ask his right hon. Friend to use a suitable opportunity to make a fresh attempt to secure agreement on elections for the whole of Germany?
§ Mr. MayhewI cannot agree with either of those suppositions; nor can I agree that this Question can be treated in isolation from other problems that are facing us.