§ Mr. W. Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assurances were given to the Federal German Government about Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the East German régime, in connection with the East German signature in Moscow of the Soviet copy of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThese assurances were set out in the communiquéissued at the end of Dr. Schröder's visit to London on 15th August. The relevant portion of this communiqué is as follows
Lord Home repeated to Dr. Schröder the assurances already conveyed to the Federal Government, and made known to all Governments which do not recognise the East German régime, that the signature of the Test Ban Treaty will make no difference to the relationship between the United Kingdom and the East German régime. Lord Home took the opportunity to confirm to Dr. Schroder that Her Majesty's Government are of the opinion that although the East German regime has put its signature to the text of the Test Ban Treaty in Moscow or may take any other steps in relation to it, no treaty relations will arise between the United Kingdom and East Germany, and the East German régime will enter into no bilateral commitment towards the United Kingdom or any other State which does not recognise it. He indicated that Her Majesty's Government would have the right to object if the East German authorities should seek to assert privileges under the Treaty and explained that Her Majesty's Government will not accept the Soviet notification of signature of the Treaty by the East German régime on the grounds that they do not recognise the Soviet Zone as a State or as an entity possessing national sovereignty, or recognise the local authorities as a Government. Nevertheless the East German régime would have committed itself to abide by the provisions of the Treaty.