HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1837-9
33. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the precise commitments already entered into by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the defence of Western Europe.

Mr. Nutting

Since the full statement of our commitments in respect of the defence of Western Europe is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

Would my hon. Friend say in how many different respects we are already committed to the defence of France under the various agreements?

Mr. Nutting

We are committed to the defence of France five times over under these commitments—under the Dunkirk Treaty, the Brussels Treaty, the North Atlantic Treaty, the special guarantee given in the Treaty between the United Kingdom and the E.D.C., and lastly, the Joint Tripartite Declaration of 17th May last year.

Following is the reply:

Treaty of Dunkirk Under Article II of the Treaty of Alliance and Mutual Assistance between the United Kingdom and France, signed at Dunkirk on 4th March, 1947, Should either of the High Contracting Parties become again involved in hostilities with Germany, the other High Contracting Party will at once give the High Contracting Party so involved in hostilities all the military and other support and assistance in his power." (Cmd. 7217.) Treaty of Brussels Under Article IV of the Treaty of Economic, Social and Cultural Collaboration and Collective Self-defence, signed between Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom at Brussels on 17th March, 1948, If any of the High Contracting Parties should be the object of an armed attack in Europe, the other High Contracting Parties will, in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, afford the Party so attacked all the military and other aid and assistance in their power." (Cmd. 7599.) North Atlantic Treaty Under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed at Washington on 4th April, 1949, between Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United States of America and the United Kingdom, as extended by the Protocol regarding the Accession of Greece and Turkey, signed in London on 17th October, 1951, The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all; and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area." (Cmd. 7789 and 8489.) Her Majesty's Government also have commitments towards Portugal under the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373 and towards Turkey under the Treaty of 1939. The members of the European Defence Community Under a further Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Paris on 27th May, 1952, the application of Article 5 was extended to all the members of the European Defence Community (Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands). (Cmd. 8562.) Under Article 1 of the Treaty between the United Kingdom and the member states of the European Defence Community, signed in Paris on 27th May, 1952, If at any time, while the United Kingdom is party to the North Atlantic Treaty, any other party to the present Treaty which is at that time a member of the European Defence Community, or the European Defence Forces, should be the object of an armed attack in Europe, the United Kingdom will, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, afford the Party or the Forces so attacked all the military and other aid and assistance in its power." (Cmd. 8562.) Under the Tripartite Declaration, made by the Governments of France, the United Kingdom and United States of America, in Paris on 27th May, 1952, the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States of America declared Accordingly, if any action from whatever quarter threatens the integrity or unity of the Community, the two Governments will regard this as a threat to their own security. They will act in accordance with Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Moreover, they have each expressed their resolve to station such forces on the continent of Europe, including the Federal Republic of Germany, as they deem necessary and appropriate to contribute to the joint defence of the North Atlantic Treaty area, having regard to their obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty, their interest in the integrity of the European Defence Community, and their special responsibilities in Germany." (Cmd. 8562.) Berlin In September, 1950, the three Governments had declared that they would treat any attack against the Federal Republic of Germany or Berlin from any quarter as an attack upon themselves. In the Tripartite Declaration, of 27th May, 1952, referred to above the three powers reaffirmed that they would treat any attack against Berlin from any quarter as an attack upon their forces and themselves. The new security guarantees supersede the assurances contained in the Declaration of September, 1950. (Cmd. 8562.) The United Kingdom's commitments towards the European Defence Community enter into force on the establishment of the Community.