asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to East Germany.

I visited East Berlin and the German Democratic Republic from 8 to 10 April. I had talks with senior GDR Government figures, and met a wide cross-section of GDR society. I discussed East-West relations and arms control with Mr. Erich Honecker and the Foreign Minister. I made clear the West's sincere determination to achieve greater security for all at a lower level of weapons, through balanced and verifiable agreements. I indicated the strength of our concern for human rights, including the freedom to travel. We also discussed the prospects for an increase in bilateral trade.