§ 80. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, due to delay in the West Berlin Travel Office, citizens of the German Democratic Republic find difficulty in obtaining travel documents and thereby delay in obtaining their entry visas into Great Britain; that many businessmen from the German Democratic Republic find it easier to travel to West Germany where there are no such difficulties; that trade contracts are thus being lost by Great Britain to West Germany; and what action he will take to remove these obstacles to trade between Great Britain and the German Democratic Republic.
§ Mr. PadleyI do not accept that there is any unnecessary delay in the issue of Temporary Travel Documents by the Allied Travel Office. East Germans do not need Temporary Travel Documents to visit West Germany, but I know of no evidence to suggest that trade has been lost to this country because of this. I do not accept that obstacles to trade between Britain and East Germany 155W are involved. The position is the same for all N.A.T.O. countries, except the Federal German Republic.
§ 82. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of. State for Foreign Affairs how many persons desiring to visit this country from East Germany have been refused a temporary travel document by the Allied Control Office in West Berlin during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. PadleyIn the 12 months ending on 30th April nine persons were refused documents.