HC Deb 13 December 1965 vol 722 c188W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that an agreement with the Soviet Union is the only peaceful means of reuniting the two Germanies; and to what extent his discussions with the Soviet Government in Moscow recently were conducted on this basis.

Mr. Padley

The reunification of Germany is primarily the responsibility of Britain, France, the United States and the Soviet Union, the four Powers to whom Germany surrendered in 1945. Reunification and a final peace settlement can therefore only come about with the agreement of these powers, including the Soviet Union. In the discussions on Germany during his recent visit to Moscow, my right hon. Friend based himself on this principle of quadripartite responsibility for Germany.