§ 118. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the Government of the U.S.S.R. that a specified number of British newspaper correspondents should be allowed to enter the Soviet zone of Germany on a specified date and should be free to travel there unaccompanied; and that a corresponding number of Soviet correspondents should be allowed identical facilities in the British zone.
Mr. McNeilHis Majesty's Government have always been in favour of the greatest possible freedom of movement for all Allied journalists between the various zones of Germany. Visits to the British zone have been arranged for as many 303W Allied journalists as have wished to come. Soviet journalists have exactly the same facilities when visiting the British zone as those accorded to the other Allies. Reciprocal visits have been paid by British journalists to the Soviet zone. Conducting officers are provided for Soviet and other journalists in the British zone solely to assist the parties in overcoming difficulties of transport and accommodation, and in effecting necessary introductions. Their function does not include the supervision of correspondents' work. It does not appear possible in present circumstances in Germany for unconducted visits to take place.