HC Deb 11 February 1959 vol 599 cc195-6W
Mr. Ellis Smith

43, 44 and 46. asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what proposals he now has to make for a European settlement;

(2) if he is aware of growing concern about the continued tension in the world; and, in view of the size of world expenditure on war preparations, if he will make proposals for a constructive peace policy which will lessen world tension and provide the basis for negotiating a long-term acceptance of coexistence in order to provide time for further negotiations for a global settlement, a reduction in war expenditure and the ending of man-made insecurity;

(3) whether he has yet prepared Her Majesty's Government's reply to the Russian proposals for the reunification of Germany; and what suggestions he will make in regard to European disengagement, and a world agreement on the future military status of Germany.

Mr. Profumo

As regards those parts of the hon. Member's Questions which refer to the problems of Germany and European security I would refer him to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) on 20th January and to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 22nd January, to which I have nothing to add.

The hon. Member refers to "the Russian proposals for the reunification of Germany". Unfortunately there are at present no such proposals. The most recent Russian proposals which were contained in the Soviet Note of 10th January provided explicity for the continued division of Germany. I assume, however, that it is this Note which the hon. Member has in mind. The Government's attitude on Germany was clearly stated by my right hon. and learned Friend in the foreign affairs debate in December.