HC Deb 02 March 1955 vol 537 cc2041-2
15. Mr. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since no reply has been received to his Note of 29th November to the Soviet Government asking for concrete proposals on the question of free elections in Eastern Germany, he will send another Note asking whether the Soviet Government will agree to non-Communist parties taking part in elections, with freedom of propaganda and freedom from interference by the police.

Mr. Turton

No, Sir. I do not believe that the Soviet Government have overlooked the fact that a reply to our Note of 29th November is outstanding.

Mr. Price

Is it not clear that the Soviet Government are not going to answer awkward questions like these? Would it not, therefore, be advisable to follow the matter up in order to clear up the point and to inform public opinion throughout the world about the hypocrisy of the Soviet Government?

Mr. Turton

If the hon. Gentleman is right in his hypothesis that the Soviet Government are not going to answer the question. I do not see the point of a further Note.

Mr. Shinwell

As there has been since the reply to the Note in November last a Soviet broadcast which made a representation, although not an official one, to Her Majesty's Government, could not elucidation be sought through diplomatic, ambassadorial channels, which might be of value in ascertaining the views of the Soviet Government?

Mr. Turton

The right hon. Gentleman will probably remember that on 31st January my right hon. Friend said: If the desire of the Soviet Government is to give a reply to our Note, they can do so perfectly easily, and it will be immediately examined." —[OFFICIAL REPORT, 31st January, 1955; Vol. 536, c. 677.] That was an invitation, and it was made in this House on 31st January.

Mr. Shinwell

Has not a new situation developed in view of the Soviet broadcast? While I agree, that it was not an official representation, is it not worth the while of Her Majesty's Government in a very vital question of this kind to ascertain the views of the Soviet Government on this issue?

Mr. Turton

There have been a number of broadcasts and I am not quite certain to which broadcast the right hon. Gentleman is referring.

Back to