12. Mr. Hendersonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the present situation in Berlin 491 with special reference to recent Soviet activities in the air corridors.
§ 19. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Lord Privy Seal what protests have been made to the Russian Government about metal foil alleged to have been found in East Germany and to have been used for the purpose of interfering with British radar
§ Mr. HeathCertain Soviet activities in the air corridors to Berlin, notably the dropping of metal strips which could endanger the safety of flight, have caused Her Majesty's Government concern. My noble Friend, together with the United States Secretary of State, consequently protested strongly against the dropping of metal strips to the Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs before the opening of the Disarmament Conference in Geneva. This interference has now ceased. Her Majesty's Government were also concerned at the Soviet practice, which has continued until recently, of making flights in the air corridors which seem designed to hinder unrestricted freedom of flight to and from Berlin. In concert with their French and United States allies, they delivered a further Note on this subject to the Soviet Government on the 24th of March.
Mr. HendersonIn view of the importance of maintaining the access routes into and out of West Berlin, may I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government are in agreement with the proposal of the United States Government that an international authority of thirteen members should be established to supervise these routes, containing members both from West Germany and East Germany?
§ Mr. HeathWe have been kept fully informed and consulted about the proposals which the American Government have in mind, and we agree with them.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman still adhere to the story told in the House of Lords by the Foreign Secretary on 28th March that six Russian bombers had dropped this chaff and that the corridors were full of metal chaff for four to six hours? Does he still adhere to that story? It it true?
§ 41. Mr. Mayhewasked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has received from the Government of the United States of America regarding the progress of the current United States-Russian talks on Berlin.
§ 43. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the latest stage of East-West negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the German problem.
§ Mr. HeathThe United States Secretary of State held lengthy discussions with Mr. Gromyko when he was in Geneva last month on the subject of Berlin. In this he was supported by my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary. By common consent these discussions are now being pursued between Mr. Rusk and the Soviet Ambassador in Washington. The first meeting took place on 16th April. Her Majesty's Government are being kept fully informed of the conduct of these discussions.
§ Mr. MayhewIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that the reported proposals of the United States Government seem sensible and constructive? Will he say whether the Government are abandoning the idea of associating the United Nations in some way with a Berlin settlement? Secondly, will he say whether the Government will not put forward more positive proposals regarding the Oder-Neisse Line, perhaps in connection with the proposals put forward, we understand, by the Americans for a non-aggression pact?
§ Mr. HeathWe have debated this point on a number of occasions. My noble Friend and I have always said that we give full weight to suggestions of this kind which are made. At the same time, we cannot give information about specific proposals being discussed in talks of this kind.
§ Mr. AllaunWhile feeling that the new Western proposals, as "leaked" in Bonn, are a reasonable approach towards a settlement, may I ask whether the Minister will give an assurance that the British Government will not allow the West German Government to go on vetoing a settlement which the British Government themselves think is sound?
§ Mr. HeathThe American Government is keeping in the closest touch with the British Government and the French Government in this matter, in which all have responsibilities, and with the Federal German Government, which is so obviously affected by it. The Federal Government has itself expressed its confidence in the conduct of these talks by the American Government.
§ Mr. GaitskellMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the suggestion that there should be international control over access to West Berlin, in which the East German Government could participate, is one that will be warmly welcomed on this side of the House? Can he assure the House that these proposals put forward by the American Secretary of State have the support of all the Western Powers?
§ Mr. HeathAs I have already said, I cannot give details about specific proposals which are being discussed between the American Secretary of State and the Soviet Ambassador, but I have naturally noted the point which the Leader of the Opposition has made.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs my right hon. Friend aware that some of us feel that it would be better if Britain were taking part in these discussions? It is all very well to be kept informed, but, as a leading nation of the world, why are we not there playing our part?
§ Mr. HeathWhen these talks were held in New York and Washington in the autumn of last year, my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary took part, and again when they were continued in Geneva a few weeks ago my noble Friend played a very prominent part in them. It is a question of arrangements between the allies as to how they are best conducted at any particular time.
§ Sir G. NicholsonWhile I appreciate that these are very delicate questions, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend does not agree that it is highly desirable that an atmosphere of realism should be introduced, and that we should not cling nominally to aims that everybody agrees are quite unrealistic today, such as the Oder-Neisse Line?
§ Mr. HeathIf I may give my hon. Friend a delicate answer, it is that I always believe in being realistic.
§ Mr. A. HendersonWould the Lord Privy Seal make clear that the reply which he has just given to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition does not go as far as his answer to me a few minutes ago, which indicated that Her Majesty's Government agree with the proposal that there should be international supervision of the access routes into Berlin? Did he not actually say that Her Majesty's Government agreed with that proposal?
§ Mr. HeathI said that it is obviously one of the means of dealing with this particular problem of access to Berlin.
§ Mr. MayhewI was listening very carefully to the Minister. Did he not specifically say that the British Government supported this American proposal? Will he assure the House that that is so?