DR. KIESINGER (CONVERSATIONS) (Hansard, 23 May 1968)

§ Q6. Mr. Brooks
asked the Prime Minister if he will invite Chancellor Kiesinger to visit London.

§ Q7. Mr. Marten
asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Western Germany.

§ The Prime Minister
I very much valued the opportunities which occurred three times last year for conversations with Dr. Kiesinger, and look forward to further opportunities in the future. Nothing, however, is planned at present.

§ Mr. Brooks
But in view of the traditional French export performance in revolutions, does my right hon. Friend agree that the time has come for Britain and Germany urgently to co-ordinate their reactions to the political earthquake which is now shaking Gaullism to its foundations?

§ The Prime Minister
I do not think that I should reply to my hon. Friend's question about what is happening in France, for such a reply might be construed as intervention in the internal affairs of another country. We are in close touch with the German Government on all matters of European cooperation. My hon. Friend will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is visiting Bonn on his way back from the Soviet Union.

§ Mr. Marten
Is the Prime Minister aware that there are real anxieties in the minds of some people in this country about the political trends in Germany? What is the Government's position towards a peace treaty with Germany?

§ The Prime Minister
I assume that in talking about anxiety about trends, the 865 hon. Gentleman is referring to recent Land elections and to the growth of parties then; that no one in the House would support. There is some anxiety about that in this country and in Germany, though we should be wrong to exaggerate this or to assume that it means any substantial revival of Nazism in that country. In relation to a peace treaty, our position is exactly as it has been explained before.

§ Mr. Michael Foot
Does my right hon. Friend agree that nothing could be more injurious to the prospect of the future unity of Europe than any appearance of Britain ganging up with Germany against France? Does he accept that there are many millions of people in this country who greatly welcome the development of democracy in France, as witnessed by the occurrences of recent weeks, and we hope that it will result in the overthrow of authoritarian institutions, thereby leading to better opportunities of consultation with this country?

§ The Prime Minister
My hon. Friend only a few months ago was suggesting that we should get closer to the French Government. But I do not think that it would be right to comment on what is going on in France at the present. There is certainly no question of ganging up with other European countries against France. Our position has been stated over a very long period. We are prepared to deal with the Common Market countries as a whole, not to take sides.

§ Mr. Ridley
Is the Prime Minister aware that the least damage might be done to Anglo-German relations if both these visits took place simultaneously?

§ Mr. Shinwell
Although we are always ready to accord a welcome to any influential and prominent foreign Minister and will treat him with the utmost courtesy, may we have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that no time will be wasted by discussing the dead wood of the Common Market?

§ The Prime Minister
I have nothing to add to previous answers on the Common Market. I am only saying that in this particular week when my hon. Friend—and my right hon. Friend earlier in the week—expressed great interest in 866 what is going on in France, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it.