HL Deb 12 March 1962 vol 238 cc23-4

3.47 p.m.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, I think it might be convenient if my noble friend now answered the Private Notice Question which the noble Viscount asked.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, while returning by car to Potsdam from a routine tour about midnight 10th-11th March, Lieut.-Colonel Brown and Corporal Day of the British Military Mission to Soviet Headquarters in East Germany were fired upon by East German frontier police at Stahnsdorf. They were in an unrestricted area, and the East German frontier police opened fire, for no apparent reason and without warning. Corporal Day was seriously wounded and taken to an East German hospital.

Colonel Brown was held by the East German police until released by a Soviet officer. The Soviet authorities have expressed regret for the incident. The Head of the British Military Mission has been instructed to raise this matter urgently with Soviet Headquarters and to register a strong protest.

Her Majesty's Government will consider what further action may be called for, in the light of the detailed report of the incident and of the discussions with Soviet Headquarters by the Head of the British Military Mission.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord the First Lord of the Admiralty for his statement. I am quite sure that this comes as a great shock to Members of your Lordships' House, and it must have come as a great shock to the family of the seriously wounded soldier. I should like to express sympathy with the family. I should also like to ask one or two pointed questions. I think it would be inadvisable to say any more at this stage if, as the First Lord of the Admiralty says, inquiries are continuing and certain representations are being made. I think it would be preferable to wait until the First Lord can give us the result of that inquiry before we express any specific opinion.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Viscount. I think it would be better not to say any more until we have the full report and can examine it.