Berlin (Hansard, 9 March 1959)

§ 15. Mr. Swingler
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he will now put forward for the solution of the Berlin problem by negotiation.

§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore
The most important action is to ensure that negotiations do, in fact, take place. It would be premature to say now what proposals we may make at such negotiations. As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 4th March, the next step is to consult our Allies about the Soviet Note of 2nd March.

§ Mr. Swingler
Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that the negotiation that the Government have in mind is a Summit Conference to negotiate about Berlin, or have they in mind some other form of negotiation—for example, the reference of the Berlin dispute to the United Nations?

§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore
If the hon. Gentleman will read the Note of 2nd March, he will see that the Soviet Government propose a Foreign Ministers' meeting.

§ 26. Mr. J. Silverman
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the declaration by the British and Soviet Prime Ministers that in all matters of dispute both countries should act in the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter, he will now give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will refrain from resort to force and observe the peaceful procedures enjoined by the Charter in seeking a settlement of the present disagreement about the future of Berlin, which arises from the declared intention of the Soviet Government to replace their officials on the lines of communication by East German officials.

§ 27. Mr. Zilliacus
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the endorsement by the British and Soviet Prime Ministers of the principle that international differences should be resolved by negotiation and not by force, he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will settle differences with the Soviet Union, arising out of the announced intention of the Soviet Government to replace Soviet by East German officials on the lines of communication to Berlin, by methods consistent with this principle.

§ 29. Mr. A. Henderson
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the joint declaration of the British and Soviet Prime Ministers that in all matters of dispute both countries should act in the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter, Her Majesty's Government will propose to the Soviet Government that they should not hand over East Berlin until the problem of Germany, including Berlin, has been considered at the United Nations, unless previously settled by negotiation.

§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore
I think I should first of all make it clear that my right hon. Friend did not make a joint declaration with Mr. Khrushchev to the effect that the two Governments should in all matters of dispute act in the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter. My right hon. Friend expressed his readiness to join in a declaration which would include a clause of this nature but Mr. Khrushchev did not accept the suggestion. It is, however, of course the intention of Her Majesty's Government to act in accordance with the aims and principles of the Charter. It is also their intention to observe the principle which was endorsed in the Communiqué that differences between nations should be resolved by negotiation and not by force. I am grateful to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) for his particular suggestion, and we shall bear it in mind in our consultations with our allies.

§ Mr. Henderson
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many people who are anxious that there should be no repetition of the tragic events of Hungary and the Suez adventure, and that an undertaking such as suggested in Question No. 29 on the part of the Soviet Government would do a great deal to reassure people that the United Nations will not be by-passed again?

§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore
There would be a lot to be said for the Soviet Government agreeing to the kind of declaration which my right hon. Friend put forward. It is enjoined on members of the United Nations to seek agreement by negotiation between themselves first, and that is what we are trying to get accepted.

§ Mr. Zilliacus
Is it not open to the Government, if they wish to observe the spirit and the letter of the Charter, to give an undertaking that they will not resort to force to attempt to settle this matter, and that if then there is a danger to peace they will refer the matter to the United Nations? Why do not the Government give an assurance of that sort?

§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore
I have already said that we wish to negotiate, and that is what my right hon. Friend is trying to bring about.