HC Deb 01 December 1958 vol 596 c88W
44. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the situation in Berlin.

53. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Russian proposals to make Berlin a free city.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

On 27th November the Soviet Government sent Notes about Berlin to Her Majesty's Government and to the Governments of the United States, France and the Federal German Republic. The Soviet Note is being studied and there will have to be further consultations with our Allies.

The view of Her Majesty's Government is that the international agreements over Germany and over Berlin in particular cannot be unilaterally repudiated. We intend to stand by our obligations.

51. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to accept persons appointed by the authorities in Eastern Germany as agents of the Soviet Government in exercising its authority under the agreements for four-Power control of the City of Berlin.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

We hold the Soviet Government responsible for the execution of the four-Power agreements about Berlin. To the extent that persons appointed by the authorities in Eastern Germany exercise minor technical functions on our lines of communication to Berlin, we can be said to accept such persons as the agents of the Soviet Government. But the principal functions of control on these lines of communication are in fact now performed by Soviet officers.