§ 3. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now completed his discussions with other Western Governments on the reunification of Germany; and what proposals he intends to put forward in the forthcoming discussions with the Soviet Government.
§ 5. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals for a reduction and withdrawal of foreign armed forces in Germany he will put forward in the proposed discussions on a German Peace Treaty.
§ 7 and 8. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) in view of recent proposals affecting the settlement of outstanding problems in Central Europe, what further consideration has been given by Her Majesty's Government to the revised Rapacki plan for a nuclear-free zone in Central Europe;
(2) whether the discussions with other interested Governments on various possible methods of achieving the reunification of Germany have now been completed; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreOn 16th February Her Majesty's Government sent a Note to the Soviet Government proposing a conference of the Foreign Ministers of the Soviet Union, France, the United States and the United Kingdom to deal with the problem of Germany in all its aspects and implications. The text of this Note, together with the Soviet Note of 10th January to which it replies, have been published today as Command Paper 670. It is the view of Her Majesty's Government that at such a conference neither side should seek to impose a veto on specific subjects to be discussed. We are now consulting our Allies in preparing the Western position and this will be stated at the conference.
§ Mr. SwinglerThe negotiation has been going on for some time. Is not it a fact that the Note which has been delivered appears to contain no constructive proposal at all for the solution of this problem, while it throws cold water on the proposals that have been made by the Soviet Union? Apparently, as the result of the consultations that have been 342 taking place for many weeks, no proposals are being put forward by the Western Powers in regard to the settlement of the German problem or the problem of European security.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreWe have proposed that in the near future there should be a meeting of Foreign Ministers and, as I said in my original Answer, our proposals will be put at that conference.
§ Mr. RankinWould the right hon. Gentleman take a little message from me to his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, by asking him to let the good sense that guided him in his Glasgow speech, due perhaps to his environment, guide him during his sojourn in Russia, not the outmoded concept of the Bagdad Pact? Will the Foreign Secretary take with him this little pamphlet to guide him during the time he is in Russia? I will send it to him.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIf the hon. Gentleman sends it, my right hon. and learned Friend will probably receive it.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs it not a great disadvantage that, while the Russians have put forward fairly detailed proposals which can be considered by world public opinion, no similar proposals have come from the Western side? Would it not be an advantage if the British Government could put forward proposals, so that public opinion may have an opportunity of considering both sides?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI think that a great many of these matters could be discussed more fruitfully in the debate tomorrow than by Question and Answer today.
§ Later—
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Warbey.
§ Mr. WarbeyQuestion No. 7.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreQuestions No. 7 and 8 have been answered.
§ Mr. WarbeyOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I understood that Question No. 8 had been answered with No. 3, but not Question No. 7. As my Question No. 7 deals specifically with the Rapacki Plan, on which there have been no supplementary questions at all, may I put one on that?
§ Mr. SpeakerI think I was in error here in calling the hon. Member. I thought the Minister of State answered Question No. 9, with the earlier Questions, but in fact I now find he answered Questions No. 7 and No. 8.