HC Deb 29 June 1960 vol 625 cc1369-70
23. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protests he has received regarding the action of the West German Government in calling up men resident in West Berlin for military service: what replies he has sent; and what action Her Majesty's Government are taking in this matter under the Four-Power Agreement regarding the status of Berlin.

16. Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the text of the official communication submitted to Her Majesty's Ambassadors in Warsaw and Prague regarding the military training of citizens of West Berlin contrary to the four-power agreements: and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

On 6th June, Her Majesty's Embassy in Warsaw received a Note from the Polish Government enclosing a Note from the so-called German Democratic Republic. The text of a similar Note to the United States Government was made public at a Press Conference in East Berlin on 10th June. Naturally, Her Majesty's Government can take no cognisance of the East German Note, and no reply will be sent. As there is, in fact, no recruiting, no enlistment, no conscription for the Federal German Armed Forces in West Berlin, Her Majesty's Government see no need for any action in this matter.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that that statement is in direct conflict with the information furnished by the German Democratic Republic? Although I understand that Her Majesty's Government are reluctant to recognise the G.D.R., is that any reason at all for allowing any illegality to take place in West Berlin? Will he make further inquiries to ascertain whether, in fact, there is any truth in the allegations?

Mr. Lloyd

I made the Answer that I have just given after making inquiries in West Berlin through our sources there. If the right hon. Gentleman has ally information in contradiction of what I have said, I will, of course, examine it.

Mr. Kershaw

Has my right hon. and learned Friend any information about the call-up, conscription and equipment of Armed Forces in the Eastern area of Berlin or in East German territory?

Mr. Lloyd

I should like notice of that supplementary question.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not the difficulty that my information derives—I admit it quite frankly—from the G.D.R.? Therefore, is there any use in sending that information to the Foreign Secretary, as he refuses to recognise anything coming from the G.D.R.? What am I to do?

Mr. Lloyd

We certainly refuse to recognise the G.D.R., but in such matters as this we make investigations. In the light of this Note, we made investigations through our posts in West Berlin, and it is in regard to those investigations that I gave the right hon. Gentleman the Answer I did.