HC Deb 18 November 1966 vol 736 cc192-3W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) on how many occasions since 1949 have Her Majesty's Government, in pursuance of their rights under the four-Power agreements, been made aware of Berlin deputies voting in Bonn in contravention of Berlin's status as an occupied city under four-Power administration;

(2) on how many occasions since 1949 have Her Majesty's Government, in pursuance of their powers under the four-Power agreements, prevented Berlin deputies from voting in Bonn;

(3) by what authority a British Embassy spokesman in Bonn stated during the weekend 12th-13th November that Berlin deputies would not be allowed to vote in the Lower House when elections take place for the German Chancellorship.

Mr. Padley

In accordance with the provisions of the letter from the three Allied Military Governors to Dr. Adenauer of the 12th of May, 1949, as confirmed in 1952, 1954 and 1965, Berlin Deputies have not voted on substantive issues in the Bundestag. In reply to inquiries on the 11th of November, a spokesman of Her Majesty's Embassy in Bonn was authorised to state that there had been no change in the Allied position with regard to voting rights for Berlin members. Spokesmen of the United States and French Embassies made similar statements.