§ 3.55 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, I sincerely apologise to your Lordships far having to interrupt the Report stage, but I am sure that in the circumstances I shall be excused. I have to inform your Lordships of a Statement that is being made this afternoon in another place by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in these terms:
"Agreement has been reached in New York between the representatives of the four Occupying Powers in Germany for the removal on a reciprocal basis of all restrictions on communications, transport and trade between Berlin and the Western Zones and between the Eastern Zone and the Western Zones of Germany which have 351 been imposed since 1st March last year. The date for this removal is May 12.
Agreement has also been reached to call a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Paris on May 23 to consider questions relating to Germany and problems arising out of the situation in Berlin, including the question of currency in Berlin.
In simple terms this means that agreement has been reached to lift the blockade of Berlin and that the way is now open for the Four Powers to discuss the German problem in all its aspects.
His Majesty's Government welcome this agreement. As the House will be aware, it was not we who were responsible for the breakdown in the Four Power arrangements for Germany, and at all times we have been ready to discuss Germany with the other Occupying Powers, but we could not do so so long as the duress continued. This is now to be removed.
The people of Berlin have borne their ordeal with courage and restraint and their resolution has helped to make this agreement possible.
I should like to thank the House for the support which we have received throughout, and I feel sure that the agreement which has now been made shows that the firm yet reasonable policy which we have followed has in fact been fully justified by the results.
His Majesty's Government will approach the new meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in the same spirit of firmness and reasonableness. I am hopeful that the basis for an enduring settlement of the German problem will be found at the forthcoming meeting. We shall not abandon in that settlement the principles for which we have always stood in Germany.
And now let me say this. We have succeeded in standing firm in Berlin because of the airlift. I have paid tribute to the airlift before, but now more than ever is it right to say how much this country owes to the skill and devotion of the crews and groundstaff, both British and American, who have taken part in this gigantic operation. It will continue until the situation has 352 been finally cleared up, but I am sure that the House will agree with me that no praise and no thanks can be too much for the men who have contributed to its success.
Finally, I should like to tell the House that I propose to visit Berlin on Saturday in order to see the airlift in operation and to convey the thanks and congratulations of His Majesty's Government to all concerned for all that they have done."
§ 3.59 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I should like to thank the Leader of the House for the very important Statement he has just made. We, who have only just heard it, will clearly wish to study it so that we may understand exactly what is involved. I listened very carefully to what the noble Viscount said, but I am still not quite certain about the meaning of certain sentences in the Statement. I do not want to ask anything improper, but if the noble Viscount will forgive me, I would like to ask whether he can tell me how wide are the subjects to be discussed by the Council of Foreign Ministers. As I understand it, the Council—the noble Viscount was good enough to let me see a copy of the Statement just before he rose—is to consider questions relating to Germany and problems arising out of the situation in Berlin, including also the question of currency in Berlin. I hope we can have an assurance here that in these conversations there will be no question of the abandonment of all the work that has been done in setting up Governments in Western Germany, because that would be a very unfortunate thing.
Having said that, I of course agree with the noble Viscount that this is news of the first importance and fraught with happy possibilities for the future. On behalf of those who sit on these Benches—and I am sure I represent their views—I should like to congratulate His Majesty's Government and all the other Governments who have been engaged on the success of their long and patient endeavours. I would like to say how much we all welcome the relaxation which we hope this new development may portend for the international situation as a whole. In particular, if I may, I would emphasise this. It seems to me that this is not a moment for 353 "blowing our own trumpets" or for claiming victory. Indeed, that might undo all the good which has been achieved. This must be regarded as a victory of common sense on the part of all concerned, and I think we may all hope that it will lead to further moves in the same direction. So far as this country is concerned, I would agree with what was said by the noble Viscount, that, in the international field, our policy must remain what it has been in this matter, a policy reasonable but firm. I believe that that is the only basis upon which enduring peace can be built. Before I sit down I would like to re-echo most sincerely what was said by the noble Viscount with regard to those very brave men, both in our own Air Force and in the other Air Forces, who carried out so courageously and with such endurance the burden of the airlift. It is to them, of course, that must go the main credit for this happy result which has been achieved. We owe them a debt which we can never repay, and I think that we in this House should thank them to-day from the bottom of our hearts.
§ 4.3 p.m.
THE MARQUESS OF WILLINGDONMy Lords, may I express the regret of my noble Leader, Lord Samuel, and the Deputy Leader, Lord Perth, at being unable to be here owing to unavoidable circumstances? I know that on behalf of my colleagues on the Liberal Benches I can say how much they welcome the Statement which the Leader of the House has just made, and how much we all admire the typically British attitude of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and his colleagues. May we ally ourselves in the message which the Secretary of State is taking to all those concerned in the airlift? I notice they are not actually mentioned in the Statement, but I know, of course, that it includes all the civil and ground crews, as well as the military. I do not think that the co-operation and patience of the people in Berlin should be forgotten to-day, and in welcoming the new conference may we say from this side of the House that we hope it augurs well for a better understanding among all the peoples of Europe?
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONMy Lords, I thank the noble Marquess for what he 354 has said, and I cordially concur in the general view which he has expressed. The words of the Statement were, of course, carefully chosen as to the purpose of the meeting which is to be held, and I am sure the noble Marquess would not expect me to add to them at such short notice. I am sure he took note of other words which were very deliberately included, to the effect that we shall not abandon in that settlement the principles for which we have always stood.