HC Deb 22 February 1962 vol 654 c632
Q5. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he will represent to Mr. Khrushchev the serious danger of air manœuvres by Soviet fighters in the air corridors to Berlin, especially in view of the opening of the Geneva Disarmament Conference on 14th March.

The Prime Minister

As my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal informed the right hon. and learned Gentleman on 19th February, Her Majesty's Government have already protested to the Soviet Government about their recent activities in the Berlin air corridors, and drawn their attention to the serious dangers. I agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman that these activities are quite unjustifiable and are not calculated to assist the important negotiations to which he refers.

Mr. Henderson

As both the United States Government and the United Kingdom Government have recognised that nuclear testing should not be allowed to jeopardise the forthcoming Geneva Conference, would not the Prime Minister agree that the Soviet Government should equally resognise that a risk of incidents by Soviet aircraft in the Berlin air corridors should not be allowed to jeopardise the Conference?

The Prime Minister

That is why we have made this protest, which I hope will be effective.