HC Deb 07 December 1970 vol 808 cc22-3
25. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the West German Foreign Minister about the question of recognising, the German Democratic Republic.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I have discussed with Herr Scheel his Government's eastern policies, including their efforts to achieve a modus vivendi with East Germany. Details of these discussions are confidential.

Mrs. Renée Short

Is it not high time that the right hon. Gentleman came off the fence and accepted that the normalisation of relations between West and East Germany would benefit us as much as West Germany? As was said by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook (Mr. Hattersley), a party of the right hon. Gentleman's parliamentary colleagues in Bonn was recently subjected to what The Times called a vitriolic outburst against Herr Brandt's ostpolitik. In view of that and the deplorable attack of the right hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Duncan Sandys) in opposing the recognition of the Oder-Neisse line and the treaty which Herr Brandt is signing in Moscow today, will the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity to repudiate what his right hon. Friend said and make it clear that the Government do not support the C.D.U?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I am quite clear that the Government have supported Herr Brandt in his ostpolitik policy. We think that he has handled the matter with very considerable skill. When the hon. Lady speaks about normalisation between East and West Germany, that is exactly what Willy Brandt is trying to do, but the East German Government have not so far responded.

Mr. Longden

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renee Short) that there can be no normalisation of relations with East Germany as long as the Berlin Wall is in position?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

There are many matters that should be discussed between the West German and East German Governments, and the West German Government are trying to do just this. At the North Atlantic Council meeting last week everyone was agreed that there must be visible progress on Berlin before we could begin to talk about normalisation.

Mr. Hattersley

In general I welcome the Answers which the Foreign Secretary has given, but does he not agree that that still leaves Friday's incident unresolved? Will he take this opportunity of making clear that what his colleagues, including a Cabinet Minister, said or were a party to in Germany on Friday does not represent the views of Her Majesty's Government?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I must make myself more aware of what my right hon. Friend said. On the other hand, I can only answer for Her Majesty's Government, and Her Majesty's Government's view is as I have described it.