HC Deb 02 April 1953 vol 513 cc1367-9
68. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what recent information he has received from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on plans to co-ordinate the defence of the West; and whether he is satisfied that these plans are adequate.

Mr. Birch

A military command system has now been established covering the whole of the North Atlantic area. I am satisfied that the necessary plans have been made for the defence of the region.

Mr. Henderson

Has the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary been drawn to the public statement made by Field Marshal Lord Montgomery on Monday last in Washington, in which he severely criticised the organisation of N.A.T.O., of which he is Deputy-Commander, specifying in particular that no positive or master plan for the coordination of the defence of the West was in existence? Does not the hon. Gentle- man agree that this is a most serious allegation, and can he say whether Lord Montgomery has made a report to this effect to the Government? In any event, will the minister dissociate himself from this allegation made by Lord Montgomery?

Mr. Birch

The responsibility of N.A.T.O. extends only to the N.A.T.O. area and plans are satisfactory there. I think that what the Field Marshal was talking about was the co-ordination of world strategy and not of strategy within his own sphere.

Mr. Henderson

With great respect, Lord Montgomery spoke of the West. The published report indicates that he referred to the co-ordination of the defence of the West, which is co-terminus in present circumstances with N.A.T.O.

Mr. Shinwell

May I press the hon. Gentleman on this point? Is not it true that, addressing a Press conference in Washington, Field Marshal Montgomery indulged in very harsh strictures of the organisation at S.H.A.P.E. and referred to too much paper and the need for eliminating waste? May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether Lord Montgomery, who is still on the active list and on the pay roll of the War Office, made any representations at any time to the noble Lord the Minister of Defence on these matters with a view to finding a remedy for this state of affairs?

Mr. Birch

As the right hon. Gentleman says, Field Marshal Montgomery is on the staff of S.H.A.P.E. and is a servant of that organisation. It is to be hoped that he will address himself to this question of cutting out waste when he returns.

Mr. Shinwell

But, with great respect, the hon. Gentleman must not shirk the obvious difficulties that appear for him in this Question. What we want to know, and what we are entitled to know, is whether the Field Marshal has at any time made any representations to the Minister of Defence or to Her Majesty's Government on the need for improving the organisation at S.H.A.P.E.

Mr. Birch

Expenditure on these headquarters is controlled by international committees, on which my noble Friend is represented by his officials. It is our task to see that money is not wasted, and we do our best to see that it is not.

Mr. Henderson

May I follow up the question which I put before my right hon. Friend intervened? In the report which I have in mind, it was made quite clear that Field Marshal Lord Montgomery was referring to the co-ordination of the defence of the West. Will the hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that, so far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned, they do not agree that there is no master plan for the co-ordination of the defence of the West in the event of war?

Mr. Birch

I have said in my answer that we consider that the N.A.T.O. plans are satisfactory.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.