§ 23. Mr. Desmond Donnellyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the position reached in the Paris talks on a West German contribution to a European army.
§ Mr. NuttingNo, Sir. This subject is still under examination by the Paris conference which has not yet produced its report.
§ Mr. DonnellyCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the conditions laid down by the then Prime Minister in his statement last February on West German re-armarnent still represent the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. NuttingThat is an entirely different question.
§ Mr. Maurice EdelmanIn view of the Home Secretary's speech at Strasbourg this morning, are we to understand that the Prime Minister has now withdrawn from the idea of a European army, which he himself was the first to advocate?
§ Mr. NuttingI am merely answering a Question which asked me for a statement on the position reached in the Paris talks ion a West German contribution to a European army. I am not in a position to answer without notice a question on British participation or otherwise in that European army.
§ Mrs. Barbara CastleIs the Minister aware that there is some concern on this side of the House about the pressure to integrate Germany into Western European defence before all possibilities of getting an election over the whole of Germany have been exhausted? Can he give an undertaking that there will not be precipitate action in this respect?
§ Mr. NuttingThe hon. Lady will also recall, if she is seeking to be fair on this point—as I am sure she is—that it was at the instigation of the West German Chancellor that the British, French and United States delegations of the United Nations brought forward a resolution recommending an investigating commission in order that free elections might be held throughout Germany.
§ Mr. DonnellyIn view of that answer does the Minister then accept the point of view of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn, East (Mrs. Castle)?
§ Mr. NuttingI have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Lady.