HC Deb 15 May 1972 vol 837 cc10-2
5. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he now intends to propose to ensure the successful outcome of the European Security Conference.

26. Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of recent developments in the German Federal Republic, he will make a further statement regarding the Government's attitude to the proposed East-West European Security Conference.

Mr. Godber

The proposal for a conference on security and co-operation in Europe concerns all members of the Atlantic Alliance. With our allies we believe that multilateral preparations should await the signature of the Berlin Agreement. But in the meantime we have separately been in touch with the Finnish Government about their offer to provide facilities for the preparatory talks.

Mrs. Short

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what progress he thinks is likely to be made with the ratification of the treaties between West Germany, the Soviet Union and Poland? Has he, for example, been in touch with the CDU to see whether its opposition to the ratification can be minimised? How is Britain's refusal to support the application of the German Democratic Republic to take part in the Stockholm conference, for example, where our delegate is voting against, likely to help future European security and peace?

Mr. Godber

There have been many Press reports during the last week about the debate on ratification. I think it would be premature for me to make any comment about that matter. The hon. Lady asked specifically whether we have been in touch with the CDU. Our relations must be between Government and Government in these matters. I made clear in the House some time ago that while we favour ratification, it is not for us to tell the Bundestag how it should behave concerning this matter. On the final point, I have already explained to the hon. Lady that we feel we must work in concert with our allies concerning acknowledgment of the GDR.

Mr. Russell Kerr

Is the Minister aware that, as a result of the stalling of the last 12 to 18 months, Her Majesty's Government have a most regrettable reputation throughout Europe for dragging the chains on this issue? Will he try to inject some imagination into his colleagues to see that we do not have to carry this kind of reputation around Europe for much longer?

Mr. Godber

Her Majesty's Government have a much better reputation now than they had two or three years ago on this and all international matters. On this matter it is not a question of the Government dragging their feet. We are working in concert with our allies. We are as anxious as any of them to make progress in this matter, but it is for the German Bundestag to decide on ratification. When that is done and the Berlin agreements can be ratified, we can have speedy progress.

Mr. Richard

Will the right hon. Gentleman now publish, so that we can all read the memorandum which appar- ently The Guardian, half the States of Europe and half the foreign Press have read?

Mr. Godber

I have seen the reference in The Guardian. This document was not intended for publication. It is not a ministerial statement of any kind. It is an official working paper which does not represent the considered view of Her Majesty's Government. It is one of many papers which are circulated among our allies for mutual clarification.