HL Deb 19 January 1972 vol 327 cc61-2
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the agreement between West and East Germany on Berlin. discussions will take place with the Government of Finland regarding the calling of a conference in Helsinki on European Security and Cooperation.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government hope that multilateral preparatory talks will start later this year, after the signature of the Final Quadripartite Protocol on Berlin. Meanwhile, we are in contact with the Finnish Government about their offer to provide facilities in Helsinki.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister may I ask him whether we can now have an assurance of the wholehearted support of Her Majesty's Government for this project, as distinct from the lukewarmness, and sometimes even the obstruction, of our Government in association with the American Government during the last four years?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I can give the noble Lord the assurance that the Government are very anxious that this should come about. But before that can happen, of course, it is necessary to have the signature of the Final Quadripartite Protocol, which has not yet been achieved.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while again thanking the Minister may I ask whether there is any reason why there should not be preliminary conversations about the agenda, plans for a permanent council and commissions to deal with the reduction of forces, a neutral area of Central Europe, and economic co operation? These matters will all require great preparation. Is there any reason why such talks should not begin at once?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, it has been the view of the Council of Ministers of NATO that it is essential to have the signed agreement to this Protocol before making arrangements for a conference. Of course, this would have been achieved earlier had it not been for the fact that the Russians requested the ratification by Germany of the Eastern Treaties before agreeing to their signing of the Protocol.

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