§ 30. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that the East German Government is recruiting for its armed forces in East Berlin, and that this is a violation of the four-Power status of Berlin; and what has been the nature of Her Majesty's Government's protest.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)Yes, Sir. The original Four-Power legislation forbidding military activities in Berlin, which continues to be observed in West Berlin, has long been ignored in the Soviet Sector. The Allies have frequently called the attention of the Soviet authorities to provocative military activities there.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the last protest was made by the British Government, and what the response to it was from the German authorities or the Four-Power Commission?
§ Mr. HeathThe last protest was made comparatively recently and the response was that to which the hon. Gentleman has called attention—the resolution of the East Berlin Assembly in December instructing the authorities in East Berlin to support recruitment.
§ Mr. ShinwellHow was it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to protest against this alleged action by the East German Government when we do not 387 recognise that Government? To whom was he protesting? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that similar allegations have been made about the West German Federal Government's recruiting activities in West Berlin?
§ Mr. HeathThe protest can be made to the Soviet authorities, as one of the signatories to the quadripartite agreement. It is untrue that similar activities are being carried out by the Federal Government in West Berlin.
§ Mr. RankinCan the Minister tell us what protests have been received by our Government in respect of our violations of the Treaty of Potsdam, especially in regard to the arming of West German soldiers in this country?