Defence Preparations

HC Deb 12 July 1950 vol 477 cc1350-2

49. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Defence if he is satisfied that the Armed Forces of the Crown are adequate and prepared to meet any foreseeable emergency that may arise in view of the increased dangers inherent in the present situation.

51. Mr. Gammans

asked the Minister of Defence what special measures he proposes to take to increase the supply of the more modern types of arms and equipment to the Fighting Services in view of the deteriorating world situation and the responsibilities which this country has accepted under the Security Council to defend the integrity of Southern Korea.

Mr. Shinwell

His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the gravity of the situation presented by recent developments in Korea. We have been doing everything in our power to develop, in co-operation with our friends and Allies, a system of collective defence. Our defence preparations are, of course, determined by our obligations towards the United Nations, the Commonwealth, our partners in the North Atlantic Treaty and the Brussels Treaty and towards those other friendly countries with whom we are in Treaty relations. Under the North Atlantic Treaty we are already engaged on plans for the progressive development of balanced collective forces.

Within this framework we are building up United Kingdom Forces which are best calculated to serve our needs and, within the limits of our resources, to equip them as rapidly as possible with the latest types of arms and equipment. However, I do not feel at all complacent at what has been achieved. There is still a great deal to be done. We have had, and will keep, our whole programme under close review to make certain that we have taken all practicable precautions.

As regards the state of readiness of the Armed Forces, the House may be assured that present pre-occupations in the Far East have not impaired, and will not be allowed to impair, our vigilance in other areas where our vital interests are involved.

Brigadier Clarke

Does the Minister realise that at the moment we seem only to be able to have vigilance in other areas, and that I should have liked him to say whether we are prepared to deal with any emergency that might arise anywhere in the foreseeable future?

Mr. Shinwell

That is a very difficult question to answer in detail.

Brigadier Clarke

That is the question which I want answered.

Mr. Gammans

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the Government are telling the House that they can undertake all the responsibility without any programme of re-armament, and that they can allow people to go away for their summer holidays with the feeling that all is well?

Mr. Shinwell

I have certainly indicated nothing of the sort. The situation is a very tense one, and we have to take account of possibilities. We take the necessary precautions within our re- sources. We have also to take account of the fact that we are in friendly relations with other countries through the United Nations organisation and the Brussels Treaty organisation. All these are factors which must be taken into account. I am not asking the hon. Gentleman, or other hon. Members, to inform the public that all is well. The position at the present time is one of grave anxiety, but, as I have said, we are taking all possible precautions.

Mr. Gammans

No special re-armament?

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's reference to weapons, has he seen a report in the Press today that the infantry anti-tank weapon issued to the Americans in Korea has been found ineffective against modern Russian tanks? Will he do everything in his power to see that our infantry are equipped as speedily as possible with an infantry anti-tank weapon adequate to deal with any tank which the Russians may have?

Mr. Shinwell

It is not for me to express an opinion about the state of American weapons, but I can give the hon. and gallant Member the assurance that we are giving the closest possible attention to the equipment of our Forces with the most modern arms.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that no British lives are going to be thrown away in Korea?

Mr. Shinwell

I think that question quite irrelevant.

Mr. Martin Lindsay

Why did the Minister say that we are building up our forces, which suggests an increase in strength, when, in fact, there has been no increase either in the number of Service personnel or in armed formations?

Mr. Shinwell

The hon. Member is wrong. We are building up our reserves progressively.