§ 1. Sir D. Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, on 22nd June, Russian troops and East German police crossed the frontier into the British Zone near Helmstedt and kidnapped 40 West German workmen whom they forced, at the point of a gun, to march to a house some 300 yards away on East German soil, and that they were exahustively questioned by Russian officers; and what protest Her Majesty's Government has made against this violation of the frontier.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)I am aware of this incident. Protests were made to the Russian authorities by British representatives on the spot and the return of the detained Germans was demanded.
§ Sir D. SavoryWould my hon. Friend mind speaking up? I cannot hear.
§ Mr. NuttingI am afraid that I cannot emulate the voice of my hon. Friend. I am aware of this incident. Protests were made to the Russian authorities by British representatives on the spot and the return of the detained Germans was demanded. The Germans concerned were returned within 24 hours.
§ Sir D. SavoryMay I ask my hon. Friend whether the identification papers were given back? They were taken away and not returned, and I should like to know whether they have now been restored.
§ Mr. NuttingPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would give me notice of that question, or perhaps I could find out and communicate with him.