§ 10. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government's policy regarding the preservation of Western rights in Berlin remains as stated by the British representative at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Council on 13th December, 1961.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Council discussions on 13th December, 1961, were, and remain, confidential. Her Majesty's Government continue to support the policy set forth in the communique issued at the end of the meeting on 15th December, 1961.
§ Mr. ZilliacusHas not the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the report in The Times on the days following this date that the then Foreign Secretary, the present Prime Minister, told the N.A.T.O. Council that the British people would be prepared to be blown into atomic dust in preservation of Western rights in Berlin? As public opinion polls have shown that only 8 per cent, of the population are prepared to take any risk of war, especially about Berlin, quite apart from being blown to atomic dust, will the Foreign 14 Secretary give an assurance that any practical differences between ourselves and the Soviet Union over Berlin will be settled by peaceful means and that Her Majesty's Government will not risk a nuclear war for the sake of such differences?
§ Mr. ButlerIregard the words as a distortion of the views of my right hon. Friend who was Foreign Secretary at the time. The policy of Her Majesty's Government remains as stated in the N.A.T.O. communiqué. In regard to Berlin, we have already given to the Soviet Union the harmonised views of the allies on procedures on the Autobahn, and I see no reason whatever why these should not be settled by discussion or negotiation.
§ 17. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state in detail the established procedures governing the rights of access to West Berlin.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerNo, Sir. After careful consideration I have concluded that it is better to keep these details confidential.
§ Mr. HendersonAs the allied convoys that are hold up from time to time on the Berlin Autobahn are usually small convoys currying less than forty men, would it not be possible for the Western Governments to invite the Soviet Government to agree that small convoys should be checked without calling upon the men being carried to alight from their vehicles?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have already harmonised our procedures and put them to the Soviet Government. This matter therefore stands on that basis, and I do not think that I can carry it any further without the consent of our American and French allies.
§ Mr. HendersonBut will not the Foreign Secretary make such a proposal to the other Governments concerned? Something ought to be done to avoid these incidents?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have already harmonised our procedures, and these are well understood by the Soviet Government. I do not think that our allies would wish to carry this matter further at the present stage.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerBut if the procedures have been conveyed to the Russian Government, what purpose is there in keeping them secret?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have not the consent of our American and French allies to make them public.