HC Deb 06 December 1965 vol 722 cc24-5
47. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to Poland.

60. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Poland.

Mr. M. Stewart

My visit to Poland was at the invitation of the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs. I welcomed this chance to meet the representatives of the Polish Government, and to have an exchange of views with them on many questions of interest to both of us. I found much interest in Poland in developing co-operation with us further, particularly in the economic, cultural, technical and scientific fields.

Copies of the communiqué issued at the end of my visit were placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Campbell

Did the Foreign Secretary discuss either the Rapacki Plan or a nuclear-free zone in Europe, both of which have found favour on the Labour benches?

Mr. Stewart

As the hon. Member knows, the conversations with the Polish Minister were confidential, but, as the communiqué made clear, we discussed various aspects of disarmament and European questions.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Was my right hon. Friend able to give any assurances to the Polish Government in regard to our attitude on the Western frontiers?

Mr. Stewart

I pointed out on that topic that the final determination of the frontier awaits a peace settlement with Germany, but I added that when the time comes to make such a settlement one of the factors to be taken into account must be the wishes of the inhabitants of the territories concerned.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does not my right hon. Friend feel that the situation is sufficiently stable to allow him at least to suggest that when the time comes for a peace treaty we could not envisage any major change in this frontier?

Mr. Stewart

If my hon. Friend will give attention to the last part of my reply he will find that it is of interest in the light of what he said.

Mr. Speaker

Order. We must not allow double supplementary questions to slip through.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Was the Foreign Secretary able to get an assurance from the Polish Government that they would see that there was a better balance of trade with this country?

Mr. Stewart

We raised matters of trade, and I hope that we shall make progress in that direction.