HC Deb 23 March 1965 vol 709 cc319-20
Q4. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Prime Minister whether, on his visit to President de Gaulle, he will publicly associate himself with the latter"s declaration that the West German Government should recognise as final Germany"s existing frontiers with Poland, Czechoslovakia and other countries.

The Prime Minister

The policy of Her Majesty"s Government is that the final determination of the frontier between Germany and Poland cannot be formalised until there is a peace settlement. As regards the frontier between Germany and Czechoslovakia, Her Majesty"s Government take the view that no consideration should be given to any changes effected in 1938.

Mr. Zilliacus

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he agrees that in the last 20 years the provisional has become permanent, that Western Poland is now settled by over 6 million Poles and that important industries have been founded there? These territories are an integral part of Poland, and in the circumstances does not it render a disservice to peace to encourage illusions in Western Germany that they can still restore their 1937 frontier?

The Prime Minister

Of course a lot has happened in the last 20 years, particularly in the establishment or reestablishment of dwellings, factories, and so on, but there is no peace settlement, and that question cannot be settled until there is.

Sir C. Osborne

While agreeing with much that has been put to the Prime Minister by the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus), may I ask the Prime Minister to be careful, when he visits President de Gaulle, that the President does not use him to drive a wedge between this country and America and between both our countries and the Soviet Union over this problem?

The Prime Minister

I would always bear the hon. Gentleman"s warnings very carefully in mind.