§ 50. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he has given instructions to British diplomatic staff abroad to co-operate with West German officials in persuading citizens of the German Democratic Republic, who may be travelling abroad, to defect.
§ Mr. PadleyNo such instructions have been given.
§ Mrs. ShortIs my hon. Friend aware that on 26th August, 1965, a signed letter was sent—and I have a copy of it here—from a member of the West German Embassy staff in Nicosia to a group of East German artists who were appearing there? It says that if these people did not wish to return to what the writer called the "Soviet Occupation Zone" of Germany they could go to the British, French, American or German Embassies for help. Can my hon. Friend say whether this was sent with or without his approval? If it was sent with his approval, does not he think that—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Lady must learn to ask shorter supplementary questions.
§ Mr. PadleyAs my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) has recognised, the letter in question named the British High Commission as one of a number of missions on which such people might call. It was sent without the knowledge of the High Commission and did not reflect any agreed procedure. East Germans in this position would normally apply to the Federal German Mission in the country concerned. I cannot, however, accept the implication that there is anything reprehensible in assisting people who decide that they wish to live in a free country.