HC Deb 09 April 1948 vol 449 cc33-4W
Mr. Wilson Harris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present situation with regard to communications between Berlin and the Western zones of Germany.

Mr. Mayhew

The situation as at midday, 8th April, was as follows:

  1. (1) The British Military authorities have suspended military passenger trains in both directions until further notice.
  2. (2) One civilian passenger train with Nord express connection is running daily in each direction.
  3. (3) Freight traffic for British military needs and for the Control Commission from the British zone to Berlin is arriving without interruption, as are coal and food trains to meet British commitments in Berlin.
  4. (4) Loading of Allied Occupation authorities freight traffic to the Western zones has ceased for the time being owing 34 to the Soviet authorities' refusal to allow movement of this traffic without permits from their authorities.
  5. (5) The normal movement of empty wagons from Berlin to the West is taking place without interruption.
  6. (6) Passenger traffic by road in both directions is experiencing no difficulty.
  7. (7) Some difficulties have been experienced with regard to inland water transport from the Soviet zone to the West. These are being investigated.