HC Deb 25 July 1951 vol 491 cc438-9
5. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the latest estimates that he has received of the strength of the armed forces of Bulgaria, Roumania and Hungary, showing navy, army, air force, armed police, frontier guards and labour battalions in receipt of military training separately; how these figures compare with the maximum strengths laid down in the Peace Treaties; when he last drew the attention of the governments of these countries to the growing disparity between the permitted strengths and the actual strengths; and what reply was received to these protests.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The Roumanian, Hungarian and Bulgarian Governments have not disclosed the size of their armed forces, and it is not in the public interest to give the detailed estimates we have made. There is no doubt that the three countries have violated the military clauses of the peace treaties, and I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table drawing certain general comparisons between the Treaty limits and our estimates.

His Majesty's Government have not drawn the attention of the three Governments to these breaches of the Treaties since their experience in connection with the human rights clauses of the treaties has shown that such action would have produced no useful result.

Major Beamish

What action is being taken through the United Nations in attempting to control this grave and disquieting situation?

Mr. Davies

At the present time, so far as I am aware, no action has been taken in regard to this question of the breach of the Treaty's military clauses. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, action was taken concerning human rights.

Following is the table:

COUNTRY REGULAR ARMED FORGES PARA-MILITARY FORCES (not permitted by the Treaty). Estimated to be at least:
Peace Treaty limits to: Estimated to be at least:
Hungary 70,000 100,000 150,000
Roumania 138,000 240,000
Bulgaria 65,500 150,000