HC Deb 06 June 1951 vol 488 cc990-1
21. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, during the recent negotiations for the revision of the Occupation Statute of Western Germany, any assurance was obtained from the Federal Chancellor of a guarantee of the Kiel Convention securing the rights of the Danish population of South Slesvig.

Mr. H. Morrison

No assurance of this nature was obtained or requested during the negotiations for the revision of the Occupation Statute. The Federal Chancellor, however, gave a spontaneous assurance some six months ago, in a memorandum to the Allied High Commission, that the Federal Government endorsed the policy embodied in the Kiel Declaration.

22 and 23. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the terms of the revision of the Occupation Statute of Western Germany will be submitted to Parliament for its approval before it is Anally ratified;

(2) whether the Instrument of Revision of the Charter of the Allied High Commission for Germany will be submitted to the approval of Parliament before being finally ratified.

Mr. H. Morrison

Neither of these Instruments is subject to ratification. Both entered into force on 7th March, 1951.

Professor Savory

As the right hon. Gentleman has combined my two Questions, I should like to ask for information on two separate points. First, with regard to the revision of the Occupation Statute, has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the serious clause which states that federal legislation and legislation of the Lander will no longer be submitted to the British High Commission as a preliminary and, therefore, that the unfortunate Danish people of South Slesvig are extremely apprehensive that some law may be passed by the Diet of Slesvig-Holstein, as a result affecting their rights?

With regard to the second point, which is the revision of the Charter of the Allied High Commission, has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the clause allowing for direct diplomatic relations with Germany? I should like to know whether that permits the Soviet Government also to have direct diplomatic relations with Germany?

Mr. Morrison

If the hon. Gentleman wants a reply, he had better put all that down.