HC Deb 30 January 1961 vol 633 cc595-6
43. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he is taking to relax the restrictions which operate through the Allied Travel Bureau in Berlin to enable people in East Germany who wish to travel to the United Kingdom to do so.

Mr. Heath

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Ham. North (Mr. A. Lewis) on 25th January.

Mr. Shinwell

What benefits accrue to the United Kingdom from condoning the continuance of these restrictions? If there are no benefits accruing to this country, why does the Minister not take measures to bring the restrictions to an end?

Mr. Heath

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, this action was taken in concert with our allies in N.A.T.O., and all have observed the arrangements; but, as I said 'to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. A. Lewis), the restrictions governing the issue of temporary travel documents to East Germans 'have to some ex tent been relaxed.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the suggested relaxation is of very little consequence indeed? When citizens of East Germany wish to travel to this country for the purpose of furthering trade between the two countries, which is very desirable at this time and will be so in the future, can he not inform our allies that the restrictions should be terminated?

Mr. Heath

I agree with the last part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, and I hope, therefore, that he will not under-estimate the relaxation which has taken place.

Mr. Healey

Is it not most undesirable that Her Majesty's Government out of loyalty to the alliance should be expected to operate very much stricter controls over the movement of East Germans coming to Britain that the Government of the Federal Repulic of Germany itself maintains over them?

Mr. Heath

The only question on which this arises is one of trade, and the situation was perfectly on a par with all countries until the recent negotiation of the trade agreement; but, as I explained to the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell), there has recently been a relaxation of the arrangements.

Back to