29. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that preparations are being made to build up in Berlin during the summer months large reserves for the winter of 1949–50, so as to show the Russian Government our determination to remain in Berlin.
Mr. McNeilYes, Sir, and my right hon. Friend wishes to assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Government will continue to fulfil their obligations towards the people of Berlin.
Mr. Scott-ElliotWould my right hon. Friend give the widest publicity throughout Berlin to what he has now said?
§ 37. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will direct the British representative on the Security Council of the United Nations to ask the Chairman to publish the report and recommendations of the committee of experts on the Berlin dispute.
Mr. McNeilThe question of publication is one for the President of the Security Council to whom the report was addressed. Meanwhile the report is under consideration by His Majesty's Government, who are keeping in close touch with the United States and French Governments upon this subject.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs my right hon. Friend aware of the importance of publishing this report? Is he aware that parts of it have already been published in the Press of one of the interested Powers and commented upon, and that the comments were referred to in "The Times" of 22nd February? Will he therefore make representations to the Chairman of the Security Council about the importance of the publication of the whole of the report so that everybody may be able to judge the work which is being done?
Mr. McNeilAs I have said, we are studying it and we are in touch with the Governments of France and the United States. It would obviously be rather empty to make a promise about our attitude before we had completed the study and the consultations.
§ Mr. Ronald ChamberlainIn view of the great importance of this subject, can my right hon. Friend make clear whether 15 the reports which appeared in the American Press last week were correct or not, namely, that this country had been responsible for the rejection of the proposals of that United Nations committee?
Mr. McNeilI do not want to be drawn into commenting about the report, but there have been reports in newspapers other than those in the United States—the "Daily Worker" published several reports—and they are not all accurate.