§ 21. Mr. M. Footasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the recognition of the Oder-Neisse line on Poland's final frontier with Germany.
§ Mr. HeathThere has been no change in the attitude of Her Majesty's Government as stated in the reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus) on 11th November, 1959.
§ Mr. FootIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was recently stated by representatives of the Polish Government that they had had some exchanges with the United States Government on this subject? Does not he think that it would be a good idea for the British Government to use their influence, along with Governments like the French Government, to persuade nations to agree finally on the recognition of this frontier?
§ Mr. HeathIt was explained to the House at the time that the question of recognition of this frontier is bound up with the question of the future of Germany. That remains Her Majesty's Government's position.
§ Mr. FootIs it not the case that the French Government have made a clear statement saying that this frontier should be recognised? Is it not the duty of Her Majesty's Government to try to use their influence in this respect?
§ Mr. HeathI understand that President de Gaulle's position is that Germany's proper destiny is reunification, provided that it does not reopen the question of the frontier. There is no contradiction between that and our view.
§ Mr. HealeyIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that President de Gaulle specifically stated that German reunification should take place within the existing frontiers—namely, within the Oder-Neisse line as it exists? If the French Government are prepared to take this position, which will greatly assist the possibility of a European settlement, why cannot the British Government do the same?
§ Mr. HeathWe maintain our policy that this matter must await a full settlement and reunification of Germany.
§ Mr. DelargyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) said in this House that this frontier was finally decided upon at Potsdam, and that all this talk of altering the boundaries by international treaty merely meant, in his opinion, very minor adjustments along the border?
§ Mr. HeathI do not recollect that statement by my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford, and I should like to consult it before giving an opinion about it.