§ 33 and 42. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) to what extent, in preparation for exploring the Soviet point of view in Moscow, he has considered the official Soviet proposals for making West Berlin a free city and inviting United Nations agents to supervise on the spot the arrangements for maintaining the status of the free city and its communications with the West, as well as replacing Soviet by East German officials for the control of these communications;
(2) whether he will give an assurance that the Government will in no circumstances be a party to the use or threat of force to maintain access to West Berlin by direct action instead of by working on a de facto basis with East German officials replacing Soviet officials on the lines of communication.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreMy right hon. and learned Friend has naturaly studied the proposals put forward by the Soviet Union. The views of Her Majesty's Government on these matters are set out in their Note of 31st December to the Soviet Government.
§ Mr. ZilliacusWill the hon. Member give an assurance that no force will be used to attempt to maintain communications with West Berlin in preference to allowing East German officials, as Soviet agents, to stamp documents for people travelling to and fro?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThat is not the Question on the Order Paper or anything like it.
§ 41. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what agreement he reached during his recent official discussions with Mr. Dulles regarding access to Berlin by the Western Powers on the transfer by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of its authority in Berlin to the East German authorities.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Reading (Mr. Mikardo) on 16th February.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs the Minister of State aware that on 9th February Mr. Dulles stated in Washington that agreement had been reached between the Powers on the points that
… we do not accept the substitution of East Germans for the Soviet Union in its responsibilities towards Berlin. … We are resolved that our position in and access to West Berlin shall be preserved"?Mr. Dulles added that general agreement had been reached as to the procedures to be employed in case of physical resistance to the attempt to maintain communications with Berlin without accepting the substitution of East Germans for Soviet officials. Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Government will scrupulously observe the obligations of the United Nations Charter concerning no use of force to settle disputes?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe whole of the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question was, of course, a quotation, of which I am well aware.
§ Mr. ZilliacusWhat is the answer?
§ Mr. PagetIs it not the whole of our experience in dealing with Russia that the most dangerous manoeuvre one can make is a step backwards? Would the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. and learned Friend not to repeat the mistakes made by Sir Edward Grey and Mr. Neville Chamberlain, and to make quite clear to the Russians the risks they are running?