§ 44. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the President of France concerning the eastern frontiers of a reunified Germany.
§ The Prime MinisterThese were private and confidential talks and I cannot reveal what subjects were or were not discussed.
§ Mr. HealeyIs the Prime Minister aware that General de Gaulle has publicly announced his view that a united Germany should accept the Oder-Neisse line as Germany's frontier with Poland? Is he also aware that this view is strongly held by the majority of the British people? Will he, therefore, associate himself with this view, as nothing would do more to improve the prospects of successful negotiation on German reunification?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman has made his point, and I have no doubt he will be content with that. I still believe that when I am fortunate enough to have these private discussions it is better for them to remain private.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the Prime Minister say whether the Western Powers are now in agreement as to the proposals to be put forward at the Foreign Ministers' Conference regarding Berlin and Germany and the eastern frontier?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a quite different question. A very large measure of agreement has been reached through the meeting with N.A.T.O. which has just taken place, and any final work which is necessary to be done in order to reach an agreed position will be conducted between now and 11th May.
§ Dame Florence HorsbrughDoes my right hon. Friend think that the majority 24 of the British people have studied this question of the line or frontier and know all about it and have yet come to a decision?
§ The Prime MinisterI must leave that to the decision of some future Gallup poll.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that a large measure of agreement has been reached on questions put to him by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, can he say whether the area of agreement includes any agreed policy about this question of the Oder-Neisse frontier, and, if so, will he tell us what it is?
§ The Prime MinisterThe four Western Powers, acting, in a sense, as trustees for all the N.A.T.O. Powers, are about to enter negotiation on 11 th May with the Soviet Government. I do not believe it to be very wise to reveal before that negotiation begins every detail of the position they propose to take up.
§ Mr. GaitskellWhile appreciating that it is not always wise to disclose everything in advance in an important negotiation, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is a good deal of concern because of Press reports of serious disagreement between the West German Government in particular and the British Government? Can he say whether those reports are justified, and whether it is the case that Dr. Adenauer is coming to pay a visit to this country?
§ The Prime MinisterIn regard to the Press reports, I read quite a number of them, and I find comfort in the fact that they are nearly always conflicting. In regard to a visit by the German Chancellor, when I saw him last in Bonn I expressed the regret which we all felt that illness prevented him from making his visit before the end of last year, the visit which had been planned for December. I extended a further invitation, and I have every hope that he will find it possible to accept that invitation in the near future.