HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1832-3
25. Mr. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the state of public opinion in both France and Germany, he will, as a matter of urgency, consider what new steps can be taken to contribute to the European Army of the European Defence Community without incurring the political liabilities of European federation.

Mr. Nutting

Membership of the European Defence Community carries with it the obligations of subordinating the forces concerned to the command and control of the supra-national institutions of the European Defence Community and of accepting the other conditions laid down in the E.D.C. Treaty. Her Majesty's Government have, however, expressed their desire for the closest association between our forces and those of the E.D.C. and have just communicated detailed proposals as a basis for discussion with the six Governments who signed the E.D.C. Treaty.

Mr. Wyatt

Does the Minister not realise that even in S.H.A.P.E. our Forces are subject to supra-national control because the Command is supra-national and that is all there is in the European Defence Community? Is it not possible to find a way of association with E.D.C. which will also give us voting rights with the European Defence Community—which is what the French want—but nevertheless retain our political integrity?

Mr. Nutting

The hon. Member's supplementary question is founded on a complete misunderstanding of the situation. S.H.A.P.E., which is the military organ as it were of N.A.T.O., is not a supra-national organisation.

Mr. Shinwell

Does it not follow as a matter of fact that if at any time we wished to withdraw any divisions from Germany we could do so, of course after notifying the S.H.A.P.E. authority?

Mr. Nutting

Of course it is possible for us to operate within N.A.T.O. according to the wishes of Her Majesty's Government. There is nothing supranational about the structure of N.A.T.O. May I also say that if we were to put our troops into the E.D.C. we would have to accept the other conditions laid down in the Treaty, namely, that the Treaty should be a forerunner—a step towards—European Federation.