Berlin (Hansard, 3 February 1964)

§ 14. Mr. Rankin
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he took in association with other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to keep the Berlin wall 803 from being closed; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
Her Majesty's Government, in concert with the United States and French Governments, have made repeated protests to the Soviet Government against the Berlin wall, and the suffering which its existence has caused to the Berliners.

§ Mr. Rankin
I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but it does not exactly cover the Question. Is it not the case that it was suggested by the West Berlin authorities that because of the success that attended the opening of the wall, it should be reopened, but that the N.A.T.O. Powers, or the majority of them, influenced the Germans against such a course? Were the British Government on the majority side? As the hon. Gentleman has just said that we oppose the existence of the wall, why does he not favour its reopening?

§ Mr. Thomas
I disagree with the hon. Gentleman when he suggests that the N.A.T.O. Powers influenced the West German authorities against taking a certain course. Certain proposals have been made by the East German authorities, but the West German authorities have also made proposals; and these are being discussed. The real trouble is that the East Germans are trying to extort a political price in terms of recognition in return for alleviating hardship for which they themselves are responsible.

§ Mr. Rankin
But, surely, the hon. Gentleman will not deny that the West Berlin people warmly welcomed the opening of the wall—

§ Mr. W. Hamilton
Knock it down.

§ Mr. Rankin
I do not mind that. As the Government oppose the existence of the wall, why should they not favour its reopening?

§ Mr. Thomas
The answer is very simple, and was given by the hon. Member's hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton). This wall can be knocked down. It was erected by the East German authorities, it is under their control, it is manned by their guards, and if they were to remove it that would be the complete answer to the problem.