HC Deb 21 June 1948 vol 452 cc928-9
38. Mr. Eric Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the virtual breakdown of road communications between Western Germany and the British sector of Berlin.

Mr. McNeil

On 18th June the Soviet authorities announced that in consequence of currency reform in the Western zones of occupation, entry into the Soviet zone for all types of animal-drawn or motor vehicles or for pedestrians from the Western zones, including traffic on the autobahn Helmstedt to Berlin, was prohibited. Traffic from Berlin to the Western zones along the autobahn was not affected by the new regulations. Such traffic has however been subjected to delays as a result of the closing for repairs by the Soviet transport authorities on 15th June of the Hohenwarthe bridge on the autobahn. An alternative route has been provided involving a detour of some 15 miles and the passage of the river by a ferry.

Mr. Fletcher

Would the Minister agree that any prolonged interference with normal communications with Berlin would be quite unjustifiable?

Mr. McNeil

I should agree, of course, that any prolonged interference was quite a different subject.