HC Deb 23 April 1959 vol 604 cc593-4
47. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to inform the German Chancellor in reply to his recent official representations, of the increasing concern felt in this country at the symptoms of a revival of German nationalism and militarism and at the growing influence of ex-Nazis in the army command, the civil service and the judiciary.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has had discussions with the German Chancellor on many occasions when these and other matters have been dealt with. As my right hon. Friend said, it is to be hoped that the exchanges which followed Questions in the House on 14th April will serve to put these matters in their correct perspective.

Mr. Zilliacus

As the right hon. Gentleman will recollect the consequences of disregarding the danger of German militarism, nationalism and Fascism before the war because of the Government's policy of treating Germany as a shield against alleged Soviet aggressive intentions, will he not at least in pursuing a similar policy today stop short at supplying Germany with nuclear weapons?

Mr. Butler

That is enlarging the question and getting into the field of our N.A.T.O. activities, which I think should be the subject of a separate question.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is my right hon Friend not aware that the vast majority of the people of this country are anxious for friendship with a peacefully-minded, industrious and democratic Germany, but they look to the Government to take early and immediate action if there is any sign of the old militaristic spirit reviving?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, certainly. We must realise that this matter of de-Nazification and, for example, judicial appointments in the Federal Republic and so on is really governed by the Bonn Convention on Relations, which entered into force in May, 1955, whereby the Federal Republic has full authority over its internal affairs. We still retain an interest in the matter, and the Federal Government recognise this, because it closely affects Anglo-German relations and, although there is a limit to what we can do in relation to the internal affairs of another country, this is not a matter we shall neglect.

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