HC Deb 09 February 1965 vol 706 cc194-7
Q2. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Prime Minister if he will urge upon the West German Chancellor in his forthcoming discussions the need for a new approach to the German Democratic Republic in order to reduce East-West tension.

Q18. Mr. Park

asked the Prime Minister if, in his discussions with the West German Chancellor, he will investigate the possibilities of a joint approach to the German Democratic Republic in order to expedite a solution of disputed issues in Central Europe.

Q20. Mr. Ensor

asked the Prime Minister whether in order to reduce East-West tension, he will discuss with the West German Chancellor the necessity of a new approach to the problem of the German Democratic Republic.

The Prime Minister

I cannot anticipate what will be discussed in my talks with the Chancellor which will be confidential.

Mrs. Short

Has my right hon. Friend had his attention drawn to proposals from certain West German sources that the detestable Iron Curtain should be replaced by an even more terrifying proposal of a multi-megaton curtain by the sowing of nuclear atomic mines along the frontier between the D.D.R. and West Germany? Does my right hon. Friend not think that it is time that we had a more reasonable approach to this whole problem, in the interests of the reduction of East-West tension? Would he not therefore consider suggesting to the West German Government that they should end their revanchiste attitude?

The Prime Minister

I think that all of us would agree that the proposal, which is certainly not an official West German Government proposal, for a minefield along the demarkation line would be a most deplorable thing. Equally deplorable is any minefield or any mines sowed on the other side of the Iron Curtain. I am sure that the sooner we can all agree to get not only minefields but barbed wire and walls removed the better.

Mr. Park

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if the general approach referred to is to carry with it any hopes of success it must involve proposals for the creation of a non-nuclear zone in Central Europe as a first step towards ultimate disengagement? Is he further aware that any proposals for any additional nuclear organisation in Central Europe will make such a settlement difficult to achieve?

The Prime Minister

I think that the whole House has accepted and will con- tinue to accept the proposition that the problems in this part of the world will not be solved until we can get a reunified Germany on the basis of a democratic election of a Government of a united Germany. I think that all of us feel that this, which will require enormous patience and will take quite a considerable time, will be achieved only when we manage to get a progressive détente between East and West on a whole range of questions. We shall not get that détente by giving away any positions of strength which we occupy today—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—but—and I hope to get as loudly cheered—equally we shall not get progress until we can reassure those on both sides of the Iron Curtain not only about their fears arising out of past history but their fears of their future. That is why some of the suggestions put forward from all parts of the House on the removal of causes of tension, and especially the danger of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, are absolutely vital if we are to achieve this objective.

Mr. Rankin

When it comes to escalation in terror weapons, would my right hon. Friend agree that it is difficult to compare barbed wire with megaton bombs?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. There are megaton bombs and multi-megaton bombs on both sides of the Iron Curtain. It will be the objective of all of us to see that they are removed on both sides of the Curtain simultaneously.

Q3. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Prime Minister if he will include in his postponed talks with the Chancellor of West Germany the problem of the prosecution of Nazi war criminals under the London agreement.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. The London agreement covered the prosecution of major war criminals; the question of lesser offences is a matter for the Federal German Government.

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the London agreement carries with it no limitation in time, and is he aware also that the Minister of Justice in West Germany recently said that we shall have to learn to live with our criminals, our murderers? When he meets the Chancellor shortly, will my right hon. Friend remind him of the worldwide concern at these proposals to end the prosecution of Nazi war criminals?

The Prime Minister

I think that succesive Governments in this country, beginning with the immediate post-war Government, have done everything in their power to secure fulfilment of what was envisaged by the London agreement. There are outstanding problems, as we all recognise, probably as regards lesser criminals. Only recently, the West German Government appealed to all individuals and all organisations in any part of the world to bring forward quickly evidence of any war crimes which need to be dealt with under the agreed procedure. Under the Constitution of West Germany, with the 20-year statute of limitations, the time is getting near when further proceedings cannot be instituted, but it been indicated that, if evidence is produced, it might be necessary to extend the time, and I refer here to the revelance of the important letter from the German Chancellor to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Ennals) sent in the last 24 hours in reply to a letter which my hon. Friend had sent on behalf of a number of hon. Members.

Mr. Longden

Will the Prime Minister also raise with the German Chancellor the question of the indemnification of Stateless victims of Nazism which has been pursued for a long time by the High Commissioner for Refugees and others, but so far without success?

The Prime Minister

I agree that there is a problem here, but I had to begin by saying that I could not indicate what would be raised in the talks with the German Chancellor.