HC Deb 20 December 1954 vol 535 cc2423-4
52. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has received about the actual or proposed rearmament of Eastern Germany since the conclusion of the London and Paris Agreements.

Lord John Hope

The most recent information received about the rearmament of Eastern Germany is set out in Cmd. Paper 9213.

Mr. Swingler

Has the noble Lord called the attention of the Secretary of State to the proceedings of the recent conference in Moscow, and the declared intention of the East German Government to match Western German rearmament with East German rearmament; and, before this new and dangerous phase of an arms race starts, will he not ask his right hon. Friend to make a supreme effort for a negotiated settlement?

Lord John Hope

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the recent conference in Moscow. He is also well aware that for some time there have been large forces in Eastern Germany disguised as police units.