§ 63. Mr. H. L. D'A. Hopkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a formal warning to the Soviet Government that the Soviet authorities will be held responsible for any loss of life which may occur in the British sector of Berlin as the result of the projected invasion of the Western sectors of the city at Whitsuntide by large numbers of young persons from the Eastern zone of Germany.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesNo, Sir. I cannot accept the assumption that such an invasion is projected.
§ Mr. HopkinsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the extent to which any incidents which may occur in the Western sectors will be exploited in Communist propaganda in the Federal Republic and in the Eastern zone, and will he do his best to make it quite clear, through the 36 B.B.C.'s Eastern Germany service, that any incidents which do occur will be the direct responsibility of the Soviet Government?
§ Mr. DaviesThe main responsibility for maintaining law and order in the Western sectors during this rally will rest with the German authorities, but the arrangements naturally have the full support of the Western Occupying Powers. I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that in view of the reasonably satisfactory way in which the May Day demonstrations passed off, we can be confident that there will be no disturbances at Whitsuntide.
§ Mr. HopkinsonIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a question of some 500,000 Germans coming from the Eastern zone to the Western sectors?
§ Mr. DaviesThere has been a great deal of talk on those lines, but we cannot be convinced that that will take place, and we are fully prepared for any eventuality.