HC Deb 22 June 1960 vol 625 cc415-6
35. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the breakdown of the Summit Conference, he will now take the initiative in seeking agreement on specific issues, such as the recognition of Poland's frontier with Germany.

Mr, R. Allan

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary made it clear during the Foreign Affairs debate on 30th May that we have every intention of continuing to seek agreement with the Soviet Government on specific issues. But they do not consider that the final delimitation of Poland's frontier with Germany in anticipation of a peace treaty can be one of these. On this question the attitude of Her Majesty's Government remains as stated in reply to the Question by the hon. Gentleman on 11th November last.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is it not a fact that Western Poland has been settled by the Poles and the Germans driven out with the consent of the allies, that this area has become an integral part of the economy of Poland in which the country has invested great sums without which it cannot live and President de Gaulle, as well as the Soviet Government, have made clear their view that this frontier should be recognised? May I infer from the statement of the hon. Gentleman that, whereas the question of demarcation obviously remains open, the frontier itself is regarded for all practical purposes as unchangeable today?

Mr. Allan

I cannot add to the Answer which was given on 11th November, which was that the final delimitation of the frontier between Germany and Poland cannot be formalised until there is a peace settlement. As to the other points raised by the hon. Member, there can be no legal or binding force in any ex-parte statements on this subject in advance of a peace treaty.

Mr. C. Osborne

Will my hon. Friend consider giving the old-fashioned secret diplomacy a chance to do the work in these negotiations rather than over-publicised Summit negotiations which fail so miserably?

Mr. Allan

That was certainly in the mind of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when he made his speech in the foreign affairs debate.