33. Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of 914 the fact that the Soviet-controlled radio station in the British sector of Berlin is being fortified, what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take.
Mr. McNeilIt would seem an exaggeration to describe the radio building as being fortified. Some ground-floor windows are being fitted with shutters or bars, presumably to guard against any demonstration of the general hostility which the people of Berlin feel towards this radio station and its broadcasts. I do not think any action is called for on the part of His Majesty's Government.
Major LloydThe people of Berlin may well feel that way. There are surely a lot of people in this country who feel the same. How does the Minister justify the fact that a Soviet-controlled radio station, pouring out the most bitter anti-British and anti-American propaganda, should be allowed to continue at all in the British zone; and would anything of a corresponding kind be allowed in their zone? Is not the whole thing a fantastic piece of funk and appeasement?
Mr. McNeilI have no reason to believe that this radio station is anything but a help to us. On the question of appeasement, I will not pit my information against that of the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Mr. BramallIs it not a fact that an almost equally contradictory situation exists by reason of the fact that the Soviet authorities supply the electricity by which the Gatow Airport works?