HC Deb 14 May 1952 vol 500 cc1431-3
45. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the divergence of view between the United States Government and Her Majesty's Government on the naval command in the Mediterranean.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

There is as yet no divergence of view between Governments. Discussions are proceeding between the respective military staffs; and I do not think it would be helpful now to disclose publicly the differences of principle that have arisen, since they may yet be composed. I may say, however, that the point at issue as this stage concerns the chain of command, and not the nationality of the commander. That, no doubt, is a matter we shall come to later.

Mr. Shinwell

If there is no divergence of view among the Governments concerned, could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the agreement among the Governments? Has he seen the report attributed to Admiral Fechteler which appeared in the United States Press and elsewhere, to the effect that this is a matter that is to be ultimately settled by the N.A.T.O. countries? Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the command of the Eastern Mediterranean, in particular, is a matter for N.A.T.O.?

The Prime Minister

I do not think I should add to the statement which I have made. At the present time the conversations are on a staff level, but it may well be that agreement will be reached. On the other hand, agreement may not be reached. The question of the nationality of the commander is quite separate from these staff discussions.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his recent gesture to me seemed to indicate that I was on that side of the House and not on this? Will he be good enough to say what is the view of Her Majesty's Government in relation to this matter? Is there any reason this House should not be informed what Her Majesty's Government think about the naval command of the Mediterranean?

The Prime Minister

Yes. The reason is that the discussions are now proceeding on a staff level, which may end the whole matter. If not, the Governments will be drawn in, and other decisions will have to be taken.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not this an indication of the right hon. Gentleman's uneasy conscience in this matter?

The Prime Minister

On the contrary, my conscience is absolutely easy. I do not feel in any danger of selling the pass, considering that the largest pass was sold by the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he stated quite categorically in this House in the course of debate, or at any rate in the course of Question and answer, that he thought the Americans had the right to assume the naval command in the Mediterranean, in spite of this being a traditionally British area?

The Prime Minister

That is a very inadequate representation of the views which I expressed at great length and which I have here fully on this subject.

Mr. Shinwell

Read them.

The Prime Minister

No, thank you very much. I should be delighted to refer the right hon. Gentleman to HANSARD: I wonder his curiosity has not already led him to investigate. The situation now is different from what it was a year ago. Very important decisions were taken by the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues which we must take into consideration in dealing with future circumstances.

Mr. James Callaghan

Does not the Prime Minister think it is really sinking below the level of events to talk about the military arrangements in terms of selling the pass? May I ask him whether he does not think it is highly undesirable that these Admirals should go about making statements on matters which concern staff conversations? Would it not be far better to reserve the statements to be made by Governments in due course?

The Prime Minister

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman realises that he is passing a very strict, direct, pointed and severe censure upon the former Minister of Defence, who quite gratuitously the other day, on these grave matters, introduced such a disgusting expression as "selling the pass" and tried, with conspicuous ill success, to fasten it on to me.