Oral Answers to Questions — Oder-Neisse Frontier

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 November 1959.

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Photo of Mr Ellis Smith Mr Ellis Smith , Stoke-on-Trent South 12:00, 18 November 1959

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the French Government with regard to the need for joint recognition of the Oder-Neisse frontier; and whether he will make a statement on this matter in order to dispel widespread doubt about the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the future of this frontier.

Photo of Mr William Griffiths Mr William Griffiths , Manchester Exchange

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he gave on his visit to Paris to the French Government's representations to the effect that Germany's existing frontier with Poland should be internationally recognised.

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

I have received no representations from the French Government about this matter. For a statement of the views of Her Majesty's Government I would refer hon. Members to the reply given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus) on 11th November.

Photo of Mr Ellis Smith Mr Ellis Smith , Stoke-on-Trent South

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that hon. Members in all parts of the House who attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference at Warsaw last September were very impressed, both publicly and privately, by the Polish case, and as General de Gaulle has now made such a definite statement, which has given wholesale satisfaction throughout Europe, has not the time arrived for Britain to associate herself with that definite statement?

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

If the hon. Member will again look at the reply which was given on 11th November he will see precisely the position of Her Majesty's Government. I think that the supplementary question asked by his hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd) on 11th November is very pertinent, and I ask him to study that again.

Photo of Mr Frank Allaun Mr Frank Allaun , Salford East

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that hon. Members from both sides of the House on a recent delegation to West Germany saw in a Bonn school a printed poster headed: What we must never forget", and underneath was a map of Germany divided into three—West Germany, East Germany and the lost provinces? Are there not dangers to peace in bringing up children with those ideas?

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

The Question that I was asked dealt with representations from the French Government.